Virginia Gov. Kaine Creates State Commission on Health Reform To Study Access, Quality and Safety Issues
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) issued an executive order creating a state Commission on Health Reform, which will consist of state lawmakers, members of the governor's cabinet, consumer and patient advocates, industry leaders and state residents, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. Kaine said the commission will bring together leaders from the public and private sectors to improve health care access, quality and safety. The new panel will work with the state Legislature's Joint Commission on Health Care and the state Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the Legislature's watchdog panel. The new commission will hold public meetings to hear comments from state residents and will submit a final report to the governor by September 2007. State Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marilyn Tavenner will head the commission, and Kaine will appoint additional members in the next few weeks. Kaine said, "With more than one million Virginians lacking health care coverage and growing shortages of health professionals in all disciplines across the commonwealth and the nation, we must look for creative ways to further improve the delivery of health care to all Virginians" (Hardy, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/9).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.