For Immediate Release; September 15, 2011 Contact: Aaron Cohen (202-261-2869)

AMERICANS URGED TO TAKE ACTION TO GET BETTER HEALTH CARE

Dr. Oz joins RWJF, U.S. health agencies in highlighting growing movement to improve quality of care
Washington, D.C. (Sept. 15, 2011) Acting on the uneven quality of health care in the United States, despite spending more per person on care than any other country, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), TVs Dr. Mehmet Oz and others gathered in Washington, D.C., today to call on Americans to take steps to get better care for themselves and their loved ones. They offered practical tips people can take to better identify and receive good care and highlighted dozens of national and local efforts to transform the quality of health care in America. The event came at the mid-point of the Care about Your Care initiative, a month-long effort throughout September to spark conversation and galvanize attention about the uneven quality of U.S. health care. Hosted by Dr. Oz and broadcast online from the Newseum in Washington, D.C., the event showcased real examples of physicians, employers and patients joining together in community-based efforts to improve care. Speakers advised Americans how they can get better care by becoming more engaged partners with their doctors in managing their own health. People need to understand that the quality of health care varies widely across the nation even within communities and there are things they can do to ensure they and their loved ones get the best care possible, said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of RWJF. The right fit could mean better health and a better relationship with their doctor. At the same time, it is critical that we all do our part as patients to take responsibility for our own health and care, like learning more about our illnesses, taking care of ourselves and following recommendations from our doctors and nurses. In conjunction with the Washington, D.C., event, leaders in health care quality improvement efforts across the country joined the conversation today at simultaneous events where local community leaders held conversations about improving health care quality. These local events were hosted by participants in Aligning Forces for Quality, RWJFs signature program to lift the quality of care in 16 communities and provide models for reform; in the Beacon Program, HHS effort to develop secure, private and accurate systems of electronic health record adoption in 17 communities; and in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Qualitys Chartered Value Exchange program, made up of 24 community quality alliances. - more-

Government has an important role to play in the drive to improve quality of health care and educate patients, but we know that a top-down solution isnt the answer, said Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Ultimately, quality improves when physicians and nurses work in tandem with patients to make decisions and ensure the best care possible. Farzad Mostashari, M.D., Sc.M., national coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, agreed. Local efforts to improve quality are critical to enhancing the U.S. health care system, he said. In communities across the nation, were seeing that when local hospitals, physicians, nurses, employers, patient advocates, insurers, unions and others work together to improve care, progress is swift and measurable. When they utilize the full capabilities of a robust health information technology system, the progress is dramatic. The health leaders backed by a broad range of groups, including the American College of Physicians, AARP, American Nurses Association, Americas Health Insurance Plans and others urged American health care consumers to do three things: 1. Look for the right care for you and your family. Find the doctors and hospitals that are the best fit for you. 2. Learn what quality care is and whats being done to improve health care in America and in your community. 3. Live better by caring about your care confident in your relationships with doctors, doing all you can do for your health. Calling Consumers to Action A central component of the month-long effort is a new website, CareAboutYourCare.org, which includes easy-to-use resources to help people better understand what quality care is, how they can find out more about doctors and hospitals in their community, and how to be more engaged as a patient. Among the resources is a list of 9 Things You Can Do to Get Better Care. Americans should be as prepared for a doctors appointment as they would be to buy a new computer or TV, Dr. Oz said. When you go to your doctor, be ready with a list of questions and a record of all medications. Take a family member to appointments so you dont miss anything and, if possible, have one doctor or nurse coordinating all your care.
### NOTE TO EDITORS: Tools for consumers can be downloaded at www.CareAboutYourCare.org, including: 10 Things You Need to Know About Quality of Health Care in America 9 Things You Can Do to Get Better Care National Directory of Hospital and Physician Performance Reports How to Use Reports on Physician and Hospital Performance plus many others