SUS Weighs In on the Health Care Debate

Posted by Judith Jackson, Chief of Staff

Our government’s efforts to overhaul the health care system has given rise to a health care debate in town halls, lunch rooms, Sunday morning talk shows and living rooms across the nation.  Health care reform in its most non-political form is advocacy for the best possible health care services for each and every citizen.  The government proposes reform that will ensure that Americans get the high-quality, affordable care they need and deserve, starting with an investment in critical prevention and wellness initiatives that help keep Americans healthy; not unlike SUS’ own commitment to health and wellness for the persons we serve.

High quality, affordable services are also the focus of CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), an accrediting body with a rigorous set of internationally recognized administrative and program standards which attest to the quality of services provided by an organization.

SUS recently elected to have our Employment Program, Clubhouse and Day Habilitation Programs surveyed by CARF against these standards of excellence.  After 3 days of review of our service delivery systems, documentation practices, physical plant, and interviews with staff, participants and board members, CARF concluded that we had demonstrated exemplary conformance to the CARF standards and awarded us 3-year accreditation.  We believe this achievement is an indication of our organization’s dedication to improving the quality of life of persons served, and thereby improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

This self-imposed review by an external body reflects the values that SUS and the health care reformist have in common:  continuous quality improvement, self-determination and a commitment to a high quality person-centered environment.

What if there were a ’CARF’ for a national Health Care system? Imagine an independent, bi-partisan body that determines accreditation and, once accredited, the health care entity would be viewed by insurers, payers and government regulators as setting the standard for health care excellence. If this were the case, would there really be anything to debate?