Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-used independent evaluator of charities, has awarded the Rheumatology Research Foundation with its eighth consecutive four-star rating. The prestigious ranking is the highest possible award given out by Charity Navigator and recognizes good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher…
The Rheumatology Research Foundation recently received its seventh consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator. This prestigious, highest rating possible is based on good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from…
Who are the new medical consumers? These people behave like medical “shoppers” because they are more mobile than previous generations and are empowered by the Internet. They can research and form opinions about diseases, treatment options, and the best route to recovery—all before stepping foot in to an exam room. This emerging population has been taught that in order to be a health-wise consumer and to get the most value, a patient must take an active role in his or her care.
Several insurance companies have tried to share quality information with enrollees by developing “star” systems to rank physicians. While star rankings may be a good way to pick a movie or restaurant, the ACR feels this system may be too simple to serve as a tool for identifying quality healthcare. Consumers need quality information, and need to know the true costs of medical services so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare. This idea is reflected in an executive order President Bush signed in August 2006 requiring government agencies to work with the private sector to gather and share data on the quality and cost of healthcare.