 |      |
        |
 |
| |||
| |||
| | ||
SM& SELECTED TO LEAD THE STATE’S HEALTH CARE QUALITY AND COST COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE
SM& team to help design the Council's mandated quality and cost website
October 1, 2007
BOSTON - Solomon McCown & Co. (SM&), a Boston-based public relations firm, has been selected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Health Care Quality and Cost Council (Council or HCQCC) to lead a communications initiative on educating the public about making value-based health care decisions. The Council, created under the Health Care Reform Law (also responsible for the Connector health insurance program), will provide comprehensive information on the quality and cost of health care at Massachusetts hospitals and providers via a soon-to-be constructed mandated website.
SM& will spearhead the communications plan and website design, collaborating with a robust team comprised of market research firm Opinion Dynamics Corporation, multicultural marketing firm Argus, and health care information technology consultants Medullan.
The team offers a thorough understanding of cost and quality issues, and has an unparalleled depth of experience in developing and implementing high impact communications and outreach campaigns around complex issues. SM&'s web partner, Medullan, has been retained by industry leaders such as WebMD, WellPoint and Partners Healthcare because of their ability to design and implement high-quality, data rich sites on complex subjects.
"Building a user-friendly yet comprehensive website is crucial to meeting the Council's goals. We felt this team was the most adept at meeting the communication challenges ahead," said HCQCC Executive Director Katharine London.
The SM& team will help the Council build a powerful web-based tool to make quality and cost information easy to understand, and through a variety of innovative outreach efforts will inform the public about the importance and availability of the data. Among other things, the tool's application could eventually allow patients to compare the quality of care at different provider facilities in their geographic area and view pricing information for specific procedures at those facilities.
"We are excited to join forces with the Health Care Quality and Cost Council on such an important mandate that will aid both the public and the health care community," says SM& CEO & President Helene Solomon . "The website and education campaign will empower health care users, some of whom are insured for the first time under the Connector program, to be more in control of their care."
ABOUT SOLOMON MCCOWN & CO. :
Solomon McCown is a Boston-based firm that provides strategic communications and crisis management services to mission-focused businesses and organizations. The company leverages all of its assets - strategic thinking, considerable experience, successful alliance building, and commitment to results - to help clients achieve the recognition, definition, and protection they need to meet their goals.
###
