Action Area:
Increasing Value in Health
Services
Key HSIN Measure:
Health Home
The Washington Health Foundation developed its definition of
Health Home, borrowing largely from the well developed literature
on "Medical Homes" published by the American Academy
of Pediatrics and by other sources. We owe a debt of gratitude
to Dr. John Neff, Seattle Children's Hospital and Medical Center,
the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
the Washington State Board of Health, the Children's Alliance
and others whose work on Medical Homes and on behalf of our children's
health pioneered this work in Washington State and across the
nation.
To make us the Healthiest State in the Nation, Washington cannot
afford to leave a single child behind because of health. Good
health is a key component in a child's readiness to learn. Readiness
to learn is a major key to higher educational achievement. And
educational achievement is a major contributor to improved health
status. State government should act decisively, beginning this
year, so that in 2010, every child has a Health Home, and every
child receives comprehensive, early and periodic health checks
and timely treatment.
1 "Health home" means an entity that promotes
wellness for individuals and their families by coordinating care
across all health circumstances, underlying conditions, health
service needs, and settings over time by assuring that an individual
or family has:
- a central resource for health and wellness information;
- a person serving as a health partner, advising on health decisions
and coordinating all care;
- a central point for collection and coordination of key individual
health information; and
- an individualized health plan actively implemented both by
the individual or family and by their health service provider
team.
2006 Washington State Legislative Bill Watch:
| E2SSB
6459 |
Supporting community-based health care solutions |