Washington won a $65 million grant to bolster health care innovation in the state, Gov. Jay Inslee announced today.
Awarded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the federal grant supports the Healthier Washington project developed through a collaboration of state leaders, the Legislature, health care systems and community members. Healthier Washington’s purpose is to achieve the “Triple Aim” for the state’s population: better health, better care, and lower costs. Washington is one of 11 states to get the four-year testing grant, which begins in February 2015. The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) will serve as lead agency for the grant.
“I want every family to have access to affordable, effective health care, a healthy environment and an opportunity to learn so they and their kids thrive,” Inslee said. “Washington has an entrepreneurial spirit that uniquely positions us to improve health for our residents. There has never been a state more determined to innovate the way it delivers health care. The Healthier Washington project provides the necessary strategy and investments to accelerate change.”
The Healthier Washington grant proposal aims to implement key elements of the state’s five-year Health Care Innovation Plan, which was the result of a previous $1 million State Innovation Model grant from CMMI. Developing the Innovation Plan started conversations among stakeholders around the state on how to improve the health of Washington residents. Participants included leaders from state and local government, public health, delivery systems, business, health plans, consumer groups, labor, tribal entities, providers and community organizations.
Inslee proposed legislation that passed with bipartisan support during the 2014 legislative session. The two bills, House Bill 2572 and Senate Bill 6312, embraced the Innovation Plan and took significant steps forward on price and quality transparency, value-based purchasing, integration of physical and behavioral health care services, and community engagement in health improvement.
“By transforming the way we pay for and deliver health care, our state will experience better health, better care and lower costs,” said HCA Director Dorothy Teeter. “Healthier Washington will drive accountability to the local level and engage communities and individuals in a new way, benefitting our population’s health and the taxpayer.”
John Wiesman, secretary of the Washington Department of Health, said, “Preventing disease, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for children to grow up in, and integrating behavioral and physical health care means improved health for everyone in Washington. This grant will support the activities needed to create that.”
Kevin W. Quigley, secretary of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), said,“Governor Jay Inslee led the way on landmark legislation in 2014 to integrate substance abuse and mental health treatment with physical health care. DSHS is excited about the prospects this holds for better serving our clients and advancing our mission of transforming lives.”
A third-party analysis of the Healthier Washington project estimates statewide health care savings across all payers could reach $1.05 billion during the four-year project, mainly through integration of physical and behavioral health.
More information
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See more details on the Healthier Washington website.
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Watch the Healthier Washington video overview.
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Read the Innovation Plan.
