April 28, 2016

Contact:     Nisha Bhat
                    National Coalition on Health Care
                    nbhat@nchc.org
                    202-638-7151, ext. 106

Proposed MACRA Rule is the First Step in Transformation of Clinician Payment

Statement by President and CEO John Rother on CMS’ proposed rule implementing the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model provisions of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015

“Yesterday’s proposed rule is the first major step toward implementing last year’s historic SGR reform legislation and accelerating clinicians’ transition away from volume-based medicine. Getting these regulations right may determine whether that law succeeds in improving the long-term affordability of health care.

“We are pleased that the proposed rule reflects input from NCHC, its members and a range of other stakeholders. Consistent with NCHC’s earlier recommendations to CMS, the agency has promised an approach to implementation that:

• simplifies and focuses quality measurement, stressing outcome measures and other high-value metrics,
• enables consumers and the public to view clinician performance on the Physician Compare website,
• promotes broad participation in Alternative Payment Models, while clearly incentivizing clinicians to move toward the most advanced APMs and
• grants credit to clinicians who participate in Alternative Payment models offered by private payers, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans

“NCHC strongly supports these aspirations. In the weeks ahead, our staff and members will be scouring the fine print and offering comments to ensure that the final regulation actually delivers on them.”

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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.