Your idea for health care reform could win $10,000! An annual contest open to all, the Pioneer Institute's Better Government Competition seeks innovative, concrete ideas to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of government services in Massachusetts. Since its inception in 1991, the Better Government Competition has saved Massachusetts citizens an estimated $400 million and has been replicated in several other states and countries. The winner for 2008 was the Florida Virtual School.

The 2009 competition is now open and will be devoted exclusively to the issue of healthcare. Healthcare spending currently accounts for almost 15 percent of gross domestic product and, according to the Congressional Budget Office, is projected to grow to over 30 percent by 2035. Public sector programs account for a significant portion of this growth, with Medicare projected to grow from 3 percent to more than 7 percent of GDP over the same period. Health care reform efforts are underway across the country, especially at the state level, but the goal of affordable, clinically appropriate, and broadly accessible health care remains elusive.
Pioneer encourages entries that involve public sector policies, programs, or practices, which can be implemented, reformed or eliminated in order to:

• Control Health Care Costs
• Deliver Services More Efficiently
• Increase Health Care Quality
• Improve Clinical Outcomes
• Lower Administrative Costs
• Decrease Waste and Unnecessary Treatment
• Increase Access to Services

The competition is open to everyone, including people from Hawaii. Potential entrants might include citizens, entrepreneurs, doctors, nurses, health care administrators, benefit administrators, nonprofit leaders, and civil servants. One grand prizewinner will be awarded $10,000 and runners-up $1,000. Pioneer Institute staff will help finalists develop their ideas. Enter by April 13, 2009.

-GIR-