Links
Below are some outside resources we have found useful.
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is an independent not-for-profit organization helping to lead the improvement of health care throughout the world. Founded in 1991 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, IHI works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating promising concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action.
The IHI developed the "Triple Aim," which the Archimedes Movement has adopted.
A broad and deep source for information about our health. Here's how they describe themselves:
A leader in health policy and communications, the Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., with a growing role in global health. Unlike grant-making foundations, Kaiser develops and runs its own research and communications programs, sometimes in partnership with other non-profit research organizations or major media companies.
We serve as a non-partisan source of facts, information, and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the public. Our product is information, always provided free of charge – from the most sophisticated policy research, to basic facts and numbers, to information young people can use to improve their health or elderly people can use to understand their Medicare benefits.
The Kaiser Family Foundation is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries.
The New 3Rs: Rights, Respect, Responsibility
The New 3Rs is a groundbreaking, long-term initiative that uses proven public health strategies to support youth in developing healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors.
The New 3Rs graciously donated the domain name WeCanDoBetter.org to the Archimedes Movement. Please visit the New 3Rs' website at www.New3Rs.info.
RIGHTS
We believe youth have the right to accurate information and access to health services.
RESPECT
We respect youth as valued members of the community, with much to offer.
RESPONSIBILITY
We trust youth to make responsible decisions when they are provided information, taught skills and given support to do so.
The New 3Rs is a project of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon.
Archimedes Movement member Paul Hochfeld, MD, has created a documentary movie about our health care crisis.
It is possible to watch the film in chapters at the Our Ailing Health web site. Here's his introduction:
Our Health Care System is beyond broken or sick. It's dumb. We spend more than twice as much per capita than most developed countries, the taxpayer is already paying for 60% of the total bill, and, by any measure of public health, our results are poor. Driven by technology and fear of liability, physicians order tests and treatments without regard for cost. Patients and families embrace unreasonable expectations. Drug companies successfully market expensive drugs that, at best, are marginally more effective than less expensive, older ones. As our primary care providers continue to disappear, increasing fragmentation of care, costs will rise and outcomes will worsen. Most significantly, the insurance industry adds nothing to "health" and greatly to total cost, which is increasingly a burden to our economy and threat to the financial solvency of our government. What's more, our State government are having to divert money to health care from education, infrastructure and protecting the environment, all of which may have more impact on the health of our society than access to a doctor.
Created by Oregon Senate Bill 329, the Oregon Health Fund Board is a seven member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. The Board was chartered with developing a comprehensive plan to ensure access to health care for Oregonians, contain health care costs, and address issues of quality in health care. The members of the Board have experience, knowledge and expertise in the areas of consumer advocacy, management, finance, labor and health care, and to represent the geographic and ethnic diversity of the state. The Board is assisted by six subcommittees on Federal issues, Financing, Delivery Reform, Benefits, Eligibility & Enrollment, and (HIIAC) Health Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
You'll find lots of practical and in-depth articles about health and health care reform here.
According to the mission of the Oregon-based Lund Report, "it takes an in-depth and unbiased look inside our healthcare system."
The goal is to empower consumers, giving them the facts, analysis and tools to create a more accountable and transparent system.
