Press Release

AHA Statement on 2018 Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule

TOM NICKELS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

Today’s proposed rule continues the incremental, flexible implementation approach called for by hospitals, health systems and the more than 500,000 employed and contracted physicians with whom they partner to deliver care. We are encouraged by CMS’s proposal for a facility-based clinician reporting option that may promote better alignment and collaboration on efforts to improve quality among hospitals and clinicians. We also applaud CMS’s proposal to provide much-needed relief from unrealistic, unfunded mandates for EHR capabilities by extending the use of modified stage 2 meaningful use requirements through 2018. We will encourage CMS to provide the same relief to hospitals.

We also encourage CMS to provide additional opportunities for clinicians to earn incentives for partnering with hospitals to provide better quality, more efficient care through advanced alternative payment models. We will review the details of the proposed rule and will provide input to the agency to help ensure CMS’s policies enable patients to benefit from the transformation of care envisioned by MACRA.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.