CMSA Delivers Important Message to Congress: Case Management Services Improve Patient Care and Should Be Key Strategy in Health Care Reform I...( CMSA holds its third Public Policy Da...),Health

CMSA holds its third Public Policy Day in Washington, D.C.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) held its third annual Public Policy Day on Capitol Hill on April 28 to increase awareness of case management and the vital care coordination services case managers perform across the health care continuum, as well as how these services can support federal health care reform efforts.

"Case management is still one of the best kept secrets in health care for improving clinical outcomes for patients and for lowering costs," stated Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, CMSA President-Elect and Chairman of the CMSA Public Policy Committee. "CMSA hopes to build continued awareness with legislators and regulators on how case managers work collaboratively with physicians, pharmacists, and others to coordinate and manage individualized services to patients and their family caregivers."

Members of CMSA's Board of Directors, its Public Policy Committee, and various state chapter liaisons attended a total of 70 scheduled meetings with their respective congressional representatives or their staff. The 30 individuals representing 18 states saturated Capitol Hill to stress the significance of the following health care issues:

• Case managers are licensed health care professionals providing patient assessment, treatment planning and health care facilitation pursuant to CMSA's national Standards of Practice.
• They play a central role in promoting smooth transitions of care -- especially for the chronically ill.
• Case management programs should become a centerpiece to health care reform at federal and state levels.
• New guidelines are required to align payment incentives for case management services, including the establishment of new CPT Codes to help pay for these vital services.'/>"/>