For Patients With Multiple Chronic Conditions, Improving Care Will Be A Bipartisan Effort

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a five-part Health Affairs Blog series, produced in conjunction with the Bipartisan Policy Center, examining current issues and care models in the delivery system reform effort. Each post will be jointly authored by Democratic and Republican leaders in health policy. Check back for more posts in the series. While federal policy makers are undertaking controversial and divisive debates over the future of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans and Democrats have had a good track record of working together to improve health care delivery and payment frameworks. Most recently, the bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 reformed Medicare’s physician payment system to better link payment to quality, as well as incentivize participation in models of care outside of the traditional fee-for-service system. These alternative payment models continue a history of bipartisan work in delivery system reform by shifting away from fee-for-service (FFS) and toward a more coordinated, efficient system of care. The shared goal of ensuring high-quality, high-performance, and affordable health care presents a unique opportunity for further bipartisan agreement. Building upon this goal, we should also work to advance a more patient- and family-centered approach to delivering care, especially to those with complex, high-cost health care needs. A good place to start, and an area where policy makers have already placed an increased focus,...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Costs and Spending Insurance and Coverage Long-term Services and Supports Medicaid and CHIP Medicare Payment Policy Alternative Payment Models bipartisan delivery system reform Bipartisan Policy Center Chronic Care CHRONIC Care Act i Source Type: blogs