Either Way, Mr. Disease Management Will Go to Washington

Plans are firming up for the annual if rescheduled DMAA confab. If you were planning on going to the cancelled star-crossed meeting, you’re in luck thanks to this do-over. If you weren’t planning on going, this is your second chance.

Either way, keep in mind that while Obama and McCain may have very divergent views on what to do about healthcare, both campaigns have repeatedly agreed on the need to promote programs for the care of populations with chronic illness aka disease management. While web sites do not policy make, the Disease Management Care Blog revisited both candidates’ dot coms to see if the bipartisan enthusiasm is still there.

It is.

From barackobama.com:

'Support disease management programs. Over seventy-five percent of total health care dollars are spent on patients with one or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.15 Many patients with chronic diseases benefit greatly from disease management programs, which help patients manage their condition and get the care they need.16 Barack Obama and Joe Biden will require that plans that participate in the new public plan, Medicare or the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) utilize proven disease management programs. This will improve quality of care and lower costs, as well.'

From johnmccain.com:

'CHRONIC DISEASE: Providing Quality, Cheaper Care For Chronic Disease. Chronic conditions account for three-quarters of the nation's annual health care bill. By emphasizing prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models, new public health infrastructure and the use of information technology, we can reduce health care costs. We should dedicate more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease.'

Will money fall from the sky? Come to Florida's Forum 08 and learn where to set out your baskets.