With health care reform coming ever closer to reality, industry events such as the recent AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) Institute in San Diego are taking on even more significance. Indeed, one couldn’t help but sense the palpable energy and enthusiasm permeating this year’s AHIP; the themes of change and reform were very apparent throughout the event. Personally, an AHIP highlight for me was the enthusiasm with which MEDecision’s Alineo™ 2.0 was met by both our existing and prospective customers. Alineo 2.0 is a very exciting new release of our already-powerful Alineo product — a collaborative health care management platform for case management, disease management and utilization management. With the new 2.0 release, Alineo is even better equipped than before to help health plans meet the challenges of the changing market. It gives them a powerful, yet simplified resource that is specifically designed to support business growth by streamlining operations, controlling medical and administrative costs and strengthening business processes while improving the overall quality of care.

There was convincing evidence at AHIP that health care "reform" and "transformation" are far more than the latest buzzwords. It’s becoming clear that after many years of speculation and debate, it’s really happening. This was uniformly apparent in the discussion lines of the outstanding presentations I attended. Among the recurring themes that stood out most for me was the idea that the system needs to be rebuilt. Not tweaked, not revised, but built anew. I also resonated with the sense of urgency that was consistently reflected; a feeling that we must initiate reform efforts now because further delay would bring additional severe detriment to the already seriously ailing American economy. Finally, there was the fundamental and pervasive recognition that reform is incredibly important. No one is taking this lightly, and rightfully so, since its outcome will impact the very quality of life in America, our economy and our standing in the world. Those are some pretty high stakes.

Thankfully AHIP was also abuzz with the sense that we can get this done. I think most in the health care sector are eager for beneficial change and to find meaningful ways of materially improving the system. This is certainly the case in health IT where, as we experienced at AHIP, organizations are actively seeking partnerships and collaborations in order to innovate and produce robust solutions to support reform. Just as the whole of health care is readying for change, health IT is clearly ready to do its part. It will be particularly fascinating and especially energizing to participate in developments during the coming months.