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The Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announces the launch of a new website devoted to providing objective information to policymakers and researchers on the patient centered medical home, www.pcmh.ahrq.gov.  The site also provides users with searchable access to a rich database of publications and other resources on the medical home including Integrating Mental Health Treatment Into the Patient Centered Medical Home. The paper examines the conceptual similarities in and differences between the PCMH and current strategies used to deliver mental health treatment in primary care, presenting programmatic and policy actions needed to facilitate the integration of high-quality mental health treatment within a PCMH.

Almost everyone believes there is an enormous amount of waste and inefficiency in health care. But why is that? In a normal market, wherever there is waste, entrepreneurs are likely to be in hot pursuit — figuring out ways to profit from its elimination by cost-reducing, quality-enhancing innovations. Why isn’t this happening in health care? As it turns out, there is a lot of innovation here. But all too often, it’s the wrong kind.

What You Need to Know about the Government's New Health Insurance Website

KHN

Consumers shopping for health insurance coverage get a boost today with the launch of a new federal website, www.healthcare.gov.

The health law that Congress passed in March called for the creation of the site, which advocates say will make it easier to shop for a plan. Consumers will be able to see all options available where they live, compare costs and determine if they qualify for a government program.

Federal health officials say the website will work as a bridge to help consumers until 2014 when much of the new law takes effect, including provisions that bar insurers from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions and establishing new health insurance exchanges, the marketplaces that make it easier for consumers and small business to buy insurance.