June 11th, 2008

Known as PHC4, the Pennsylvania agency that has for the past 22 years focused on evaluating and comparing hospitals by their cost and quality of care, is now facing evaluation itself– the law that created the council expires at the end of June, and now lawmakers must decide whether or not to reauthorize it.

Supporters of its reauthorization say that the agency should be expanded to include health insurance agencies and outpatient medical facilities.

Reports the Patriot-News:

“…PHC4 has compared hospitals on factors such as mortality rates and the number of patients with hospital-acquired infections.

At a hearing Tuesday, lobbying forces such as the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO voiced support.

The Pennsylvania Medical Society, which represents doctors, and the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, which represents hospitals, also urged reauthorization. Peter Lund, the president of the medical society, cited a need for the PHC4 to look more closely at payment rates from health insurers.

State Sen. Pat Vance, R-Cumberland County, spoke in support of the PHC4, but said it needs to revise its policies so that all hospitals aren’t required to use reporting software from a single vender. The present software system requires hospitals to spend too much time keying in data, she said.”

For more opinions on what should happen with PHC4, read the Patriot’s complete coverage of the story.