April 14, 2015

Contact:   Kelly Peuquet
                 National Coalition on Health Care
                 kpeuquet@nchc.org
                 202-638-7151, ext. 114

NCHC Applauds Senate Vote to End SGR, Looks Ahead to Post-SGR Priorities
Statement by National Coalition on Health Care President and CEO John Rother

“The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) and its member organizations applaud important steps taken by Congress moving from volume to value as the basis for physician reimbursement. That’s good for physicians, good for patients, and potentially good for a more sustainable Medicare program. We are all pleased that an end to SGR’s mandated Medicare cuts and an additional two years of secure children’s coverage are headed to President Obama’s desk.

“NCHC has expressed reservations regarding H.R. 2’s offsets. But after years of gridlock, it’s important that lawmakers chose a common path forward—a path built around value-based payment, transparency, and innovative models of care. With cost pressures growing for employers and families, our nation will soon face a similar choice again: embrace additional policies that accelerate our progress toward value or slip backwards to additional beneficiary cost-shifting and blunt provider cuts.

“NCHC is already working hard to ensure that we keep moving forward—starting with our Capitol Hill Forum tomorrow morning, Health Policy after the SGR:  What’s Possible in Value-Based Payment and Benefits. And in the coming months, NCHC and its members look forward to working with Congress and the administration to build and improve upon H.R. 2’s reforms.”

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The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), the oldest and most diverse group working to achieve comprehensive health system reform, is a 501(c)(3) organization representing more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers and groups representing consumers, patients, women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Member organizations collectively represent – as employees, members, or congregants – over 100 million Americans.

Some members of NCHC do not, or cannot, take positions either on specific legislation, strategies or on any policies outside their respective mission areas. However, all that can, do endorse broad policy positions in support of comprehensive health system change.