Newly Reactivated Health Economics Research Institute to Launch New Initiatives for Improving Health Car...( NORTHBROOK Ill. Jan. 7 -- With natio...),Health

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With national health care reform a top priority of the 2008 Election debates, and with a plethora of reform proposals swirling about Washington, D.C., and around the country, the newly revamped Health Economics Research Institute (HERI) is stepping up its efforts to identify and launch new initiatives and activities that can measurably improve U.S. health care delivery systems.

With health care reform a central feature of President-Elect Barack Obama's transitional policy planning, and with expanded health insurance coverage for millions of Americans an expected top priority, HERI recognizes the urgent need to offer -- then advocate for -- high-value health care initiatives that can be viably funded and that can stimulate continued medical innovation.

"HERI seeks to advance the cause of improving health care delivery systems, with an emphasis on market-based public policy solutions with limited government responsibility, through research, sponsoring seminars, coalition building, and other means consistent with the mission," said Nancy MacRae, chief executive officer.

Lee Stillwell, HERI's chair, said, "Presently, HERI is reaching out to other private-sector groups -- including companies, associations, foundations, academic institutions, think tanks, and other health economics experts - to enlist their help in identifying and advocating 'best-performing' solutions to improve health care delivery.

"Unquestionably, for us, the bottom line is value to patients," he noted. "Eventually, as a fully realized think tank, HERI intends to play a 'convener' role in recruiting and working with private-sector organizations sharing similar objectives.

"The impetus toward short-term health care fixes rather than long-term solutions must be resisted," Stillwell added. "Private-sector research and innovation must not be negatively impa
'/>"/>