Michael Leavitt has said that collaboration is the key to solving complex problems. In this podcast Jeff Hogan and Lisa Trumble discuss the Moving to Value Alliance (MTVA) which is a multistakeholder grassroots community that is working to fix a broken healthcare system in Connecticut. This is one of the most promising organizations that I have encountered for healthcare leaders who want to change their operations to provide better health at lower cost. There is a strong collegial atmosphere that enables discussions that matter. The MTVA is on the right track and this organization is making a real difference. Listen to this podcast. It is definitely worth your time.
Michael Leavitt’s book Finding Allies, Building Alliances talks about the power of collaborations That book is the model for the MTVA. Dr Steven Schutzer is an orthopedic surgeon who started the alliance. The executive group is 5 people who joined him over just over five years ago to bring together multiple stakeholders including payers, providers, brokers, employers, point solutions, and consultants. At first they were focused on Connecticut but then the organization expanded to involve national and international stakeholders.
Governor Leavitt’s book inspired the creating, formation, and direction of the alliance. There is tremendous variation in medical care delivery in Connecticut. Healthcare everywhere in America is opaque and siloed. Stakeholders simply don’t talk to each other about how they can interact do better. Discussion among these stakeholders is a great advance. Covid inspired us to move because people did not trust the system anymore. It not serving their needs. Now alliance members talk about what has changed? What are the opportunities? What is a better way to move into value-based healthcare? How do we deal with the new consumer expectations? The alliance facilitates those important discussions. It brings together leaders who understand the need for healthcare reform that is focused on value. They are learning from each other at a rapid pace and working together to improve health and lower costs.
Chronic diseases generate most disability, death, and cost. Bringing together the stakeholders is the first step to improve chronic disease management. Advanced primary care medical homes that focus on on patients with chronic illness can make a big difference. An advanced medical home for chronic cardiometabolic disease is the low hanging fruit where we can improve health and lower cost right away. Leaders of nurse practitioners and physician assistant faculties and organizations can make a great difference as we bring together these teams. The MTVA is moving beyond Connecticut and you can join this important effort. Just search Moving Toward Value Alliance and there is a button on their website to click to begin the process. I just learned about it and I joined today.
Thank you so much, Dr Bestermann, for your thoughtful perspectives on the MTVA that started 5 years ago with a very simple observation that went like this: Imagine - a dinner meeting prior to a CT healthcare forum with 25 stakeholders from every corner of the ecosystem in one room, each contributing to some sporty conversation that largely centered around a singular complaint. "My organization is spending considerable resources on value-based healthcare but getting no ROI". After the dinner a group of us said "hmmm, if we are all experiencing the same frustrations, but share the same commitment to the transformation, why not bring ALL these stakeholders together - form a true (Gov. Leavitt, thank you) value alliance and let's get something done for our patients". There was no open forum to share and communicate, cultivate trust and collaboration - and that was the spark that launched the MTVA. Everyone is welcome to join. Our HC problems are complex but entirely solvable. Thanks again Bill. Steve
This is good. I shared it with my Comagine Health colleagues. Maybe we should join the Alliance too.