Value in Health Care Act Reintroduced in Congress
Coalition Praises Lawmakers' Efforts to Strengthen ACOs and Other APMs
Alexandria, VA – AMGA, along with 11 other national health stakeholder groups, endorsed a bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives bill that will accelerate Medicare’s move to value-based payment by boosting accountable care organizations (ACOs) and other alternative payment models (APMs). The Value in Health Care Act (Value Act) was introduced today by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Brad Wenstrup (R-OH). AMGA recommends that Congress enact the Value Act as soon as possible.
The Value Act strengthens the Medicare Shared Savings Program by updating the program to recognize and reward ACOs. Specifically, the bill increases shared savings rates, updates risk adjustment rules, eliminates the artificial distinction between “high” and “low” revenue ACOs, addresses ACOs’ “rural glitch,” and restarts the ACO Investment Model. The bill also reinforces the shift to value-based care by extending the 5% Advanced APM incentive payments for an additional six years and authorizing a study of the overlap of various Medicare APMs. The bill lastly mandates a report by the Government Accountability Office on health outcomes and racial disparities among Medicare patients cared for by ACO participants compared to traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
“ACOs have proven that Medicare can successfully move the program into value,” said AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, M.D., M.B.A. “This bill ensures the sustainability of the ACO program through modernization of its regulatory framework, as well as provides stability in value-based programs by extending the soon expiring APM incentive program in Medicare. Reintroduction of the Value Act is certainly a step in the right direction.”
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About AMGA
AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of health care in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of our members’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, high-value care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans.