AARP And Consumers Union Convene Expert Panel On Role Of Research In Health Care Reform, USA

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 06 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Despite years of conversation between policymakers and health care professionals, comparative effectiveness remains an elusive concept for consumers. Now two of the nation's largest consumer groups are convening a panel of experts to discuss what this research can mean for individuals as the country addresses health care reform.

"Comparative effectiveness is a complicated name for a simple concept: What is the best treatment option available for a given problem?" said AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen. "We know waste is a huge driver of health care costs, with some areas of the country spending far more on care without better outcomes. It's time we start learning how to get the best results for our health care dollars."

The AARP Solutions Forum, in cooperation with Consumers Union, will address several questions including:

- Why is comparative effectiveness important to consumers and why do consumer groups support it?

- What role will consumers play in a system that includes comparative effectiveness?

- How can clinicians use comparative effectiveness information in shared decision-making with patients?

"We know first-hand from our 70-plus years of experience how providing consumers with comparative data helps them make smarter decisions and can improve the safety and performance of products and services," said Jim Guest, President of Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. "Consumers need transparent, credible, and standardized information about medical treatment options so they can get the best value and the right care to stay healthy."

WHAT

Comparative Effectiveness: What's at Stake for Consumers?
An AARP Solutions Forum in cooperation with Consumers Union

WHERE

Reserve Officers Association
One Constitution Avenue, NE

WHEN

Wednesday, October 8, 2008
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

WHO

Opening Remarks:
- Jennie Chin Hansen, President, AARP
- Jim Guest, President and CEO, Consumers Union

Panelists:

- Floyd (Jack) Fowler, President, Foundation for Informed Decision Making
- Marjorie Ginsburg, Executive Director, Sacramento Healthcare Decisions
- Art Levin, Director, Center for Medical Consumers
- Perry Payne, Professor of Health Policy, George Washington University
- Gail Shearer, Director, Health Policy Analysis, Consumers Union (Moderator)

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP