New resource offering quality, cost and safety information for consumers from HCI3

 The Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3) created INQUIREhealthcare™, a new website and clinician search app offering objective medical quality, cost and safety information that’s easy for consumers to understand and use to make informed decisions regarding their care.

“Health care reform has been underway for some time and it’s appalling how painfully slow it’s been for so little progress,” said Francois de Brantes, HCI3 executive director. “For the status quo to change, it’s going to require pressure from consumers who aren’t happy with the current system. We’ve developed these resources to help patients join the fight and take an active role in bringing about meaningful change to the U.S. health care system.”

To encourage consumer involvement in reforming health care, the website will also serve as a community offering first-hand accounts from patients on how the health care system failed them and to share their stories. Additionally resources are available such as how to contact Congress to let them know you aren’t okay with the status quo, and how to become an INQUIRE ambassador to receive tools and personal support to help start grassroots movements in your local community to change the health care system as it stands today.

“For decades people have been saying patients are the most underused resource in medicine,” said patient engagement advocate and health policy adviser “e-Patient Dave” deBronkart. “A key factor is that we haven’t had access to useful information to make informed and empowered decisions. It’s estimated that consumers do ten times more research when choosing a TV than a doctor or hospital, as if it’s the patient’s fault – but the main reason has been the lack of cost and quality information needed to make choices. This new resource will be a big step in enabling consumer-patients, which will at long last let market forces reward great performers.”