Policy Approaches to Chronic Disease Management

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Abstract
As health care costs continue rising and the elderly population steadily grows, our health care system's ability to cost-effectively care for the nation's elderly population with chronic disease presents a daunting challenge to the country's health care system. Our government is searching for the most costefficient and quality-driven methods to effectively manage the complex health care needs of a growing elder population with chronic disease states. The Medicare Prescription, Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 provided for phased-in development, testing, evaluation, and implementation of chronic care improvement programs in the traditional Medicare fee-for-service program meeting specific criteria. This article reviews the limitations of the current demonstration project and the policy changes necessary to facilitate and promote the home care industry's and the nursing profession's participation and provision of chronic disease management services in our nation.