Today's evolving health care environment presents numerous challenges for Louisiana's payers and purchasers: rising health care costs, affordable care regulations and a need for higher quality and improved outcomes. The advancement of health information technology (IT) and patient-centered care models in our state plays a critical role in helping these key stakeholder groups in addressing these challenges.

Health IT and patient-centered care hold great potential in reducing overall health care costs while delivering greater efficiency, safety and quality in health care in Louisiana, yet we must all share responsibility in driving these initiatives. This shared responsibility is a key element in the Quality Forum's mission to improve health and health care in our state.

Since the organization's beginning in 2007, its core philosophy has been to bring together Louisiana's key stakeholder groups to facilitate this mission. As payers and purchasers, your involvement is critical not only in driving improvements in quality and outcomes for your employees and members, but also in increasing efficiency, productivity and effectiveness while reducing your costs.