Health Research Institute

The mutable landscape of health policy, technology, and operations demands that industry professionals stay on top of key trends. PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute focuses on large scale issues and major developments and includes analysis on healthcare trends as well as key insights and industry best practices.

Areas of research and analysis include trends and challenges facing:

• Healthcare providers, including hospitals, health systems and physician practices.
• Payers, including commercial health plans and companies and public governmental insurers.
• Employers - corporations from all industries concerned about the coverage and costs of healthcare provided to their employees.
• Pharmaceutical companies, including pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers, researchers, benefits managers and distributors.
• Life sciences companies, including medical research, biotechnology and medical device organizations.

	Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare This report from the Health Research Institute (HRI), Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare*, addresses how we can increase access to care without increasing costs. The report focuses on three key obstacles that adversely impact accessibility: crowded points of entry; a system that is confusing to navigate; and individuals who inevitably fail to act on their health early. Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare* provides solutions and recommendations for the problems facing the healthcare industry.
	Behind the numbers: Medical cost trends for 2010 Medical costs are expected to increase in 2010 by 9%, which is slightly less than recent years; 9.2% in 2009 and 9.9% in 2008. However, these rates still significantly outpace real incomes and the rate of inflation. Reacting to higher medical costs as the economy recovers will require innovative approaches to deal with workers and healthcare stakeholders. This year's report addresses cost trends for the coming year, the impact the recession and promise for reform have had on the healthcare industry, and how businesses are reacting to higher medical costs.
	Rock and a hard place: An analysis of the $36 billion impact from health IT stimulus funding By injecting $36 billion in health IT through the stimulus fund, the federal government hopes to create a digital healthcare infrastructure that reduces costs and improves quality. Hospitals and physicians that want the stimulus money will find they have little choice but to comply with the new requirements or suffer future shortfalls in Medicare reimbursement.
	March 11th webcast: Health reform on the fast track David Levy, Global Healthcare Sector Leader was joined by subject matter experts from PricewaterhouseCoopers on March 11, 2009 to discuss the impact the Obama stimulus package and the $630 billion reserve will have on the health industries. In addition, the webcast addressed the potential implications of these reforms as well as the positive and negative consequences for pharmaceutical firms, health insurers (payers), hospitals (providers) and employers.
	10Minutes on health reform under Obama 160 million Americans receive their health insurance benefits through their employer. However, in the coming year many employers could face major changes as the Obama administration attempts to reform the system. The reforms could curb the rising cost of healthcare purchased by government and private employers by introducing new programs and regulations. Controlling costs would benefit private employers, which on average pay 80% of the cost of worker health benefits and may also be saddled with large retiree health benefit liabilities.
	Strong medicine required The 2009 Winter Issue of View, a PwC business magazine, includes a new piece of thought leadership entitled, Strong medicine required. The report explores how the combined impact of a slowing economy, increasing healthcare costs and a new administration in Washington D.C. will impact a business’s bottom line in the coming year and beyond. The report also looks at how businesses can effectively balance these costs with the need to attract and retain a productive workforce.
	Top nine health industry issues in 2009 In 2009, external forces will compel health industry organizations to react to new financial realities, regulations, and technology. Chief among those forces will be the effects of the economic crisis, a new president and Congress, and financial and technology companies looking to extend their reach into the health industry.  PricewaterhouseCoopers' report from the Health Research Institute (HRI) identifies nine significant issues that will shape the health industry in 2009.  To find out more about these nine issues and their implications read, Top nine health industry issues in 2009.
	Proposals to policy: A national conversation on healthcare reform Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs and health correspondent of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, moderated a panel of healthcare experts, economists and lawmakers as they discussed President Obama's health care reform proposals. This broadcast was recorded from the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. on November 20, 2008.
	Healthcare policy in an Obama administration: Delivering on the promise of universal coverage President Barack Obama has pledged to implement multiple changes in our health care system with the goal to increase access and affordability of health care in the United States. This report recognizes the difficulty in developing such reforms in light of current market conditions, the implications reforms could have and provides five suggestions to make health care more affordable. To find out more about how the President proposes to implement changes to the existing health care system and the possible impact of such reforms read, Healthcare policy in an Obama administration: Delivering on the promise of universal coverage.
	What employers want from health insurers – now Studies show that most employers are satisfied with their health benefits and want to continue providing these benefits to their employees. However, employers' expectations of their health insurers are changing, and while many studies in the past have examined the relationship between employees and their employer-sponsored benefits, less is known about employers and what they want from insurance carriers. To find out more about the evolving attitudes US employers have regarding health insurers read, What employers want from health insurers – now.
	Behind the numbers: Medical cost trends for 2009 From one year to the next, healthcare costs for employers and their workers always go up. Yet, for the past five years there's been some positive news. The growth rate has been dropping. However, that trend will level off in 2009, according to employers and health plans. The new Health Research Institute (HRI) report, "Behind the numbers: Medical cost trends for 2009", addresses the cyclical nature of the healthcare industry and provides insights into the conflicting factors that are contributing to both cost increases and savings. See Behind the numbers: Medical cost trends for 2009.
	You get what you pay for: A global look at balancing demand, quality, and efficiency in healthcare payment reform As the pressure to control health spending increases, payers, governments, and providers are compelled to scrutinize the quality and amount of care they'll be able to deliver in the future. Health leaders around the world see the health payment system as one of the best tools in managing this challenge and achieving sustainability. However, with less than 40% of those same leaders ranking their existing payment system as good, every country has room to improve and can benefit from shared best practices. See You get what you pay for: A global look at balancing demand, quality, and efficiency in healthcare payment reform.
	The price of excess: Identifying waste in healthcare spending More than half of the $2.2 trillion spent annually on healthcare in the US could be considered wasteful, according to an analysis published by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute. Defensive medicine, such as redundant, inappropriate or unnecessary tests and procedures, was identified as the biggest area of excess, followed by inefficient healthcare administration and the cost of care necessitated by conditions such as obesity, which can be considered preventable by lifestyle changes. See more

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