Statement by National Coalition on Health Care President and CEO John Rother on today’s hearing, MACRA and Alternative Payment Models: Creating Options for Value-Based Care
“NCHC commends Chairman Burgess and Ranking Member Green for convening today’s important hearing. Health care affordability depends on accelerating the transition from fee-for-service to new models of care and payment.
“We agree with Chairman Burgess that ‘the true potential of MACRA has yet to be met, but…the law has already been proven a success.’ Making successful Advanced Alternative Payment Models (AAPMs) available to more physicians, nurses, and other clinicians should be a top priority for Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“Today’s panelists highlighted several opportunities to maximize participation in models that are already delivering better patient outcomes and lowering costs. NCHC supports:
- Offering additional opportunities for providers to assume full performance risk in the successful Next Gen ACO model or other global payment initiatives,
- Standing up transformative primary care models—building upon the experience of CPC + models,
- Providing expanded opportunities for specialists to participate in voluntary bundled payment programs, and
- Encouraging AAPM adoption in Medicare Advantage, as announced in the recent Quality Payment Program final rule.
“As noted in today’s hearing, providers need flexibility within these new models to effectively deliver care based on their population’s needs. Additionally, we believe that input from consumers, patients, and their advocates in the development and implementation of these new models is essential.
“Today, private health plans, providers, and employers are working to move away from fee-for-service; federal policy should do all it can to support their efforts. NCHC looks forward to working with policymakers and stakeholders alike to achieve a more affordable value-based system.”