Washington, D.C. (September 17, 2025)
Statement from Mara McDermott, CEO, Accountable for Health:
“Accountable care organizations are proving they can deliver better care at lower cost, but excessive reporting requirements threaten to divert resources away from patients. The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act takes an important step by giving ACOs options for how to report quality measures and by preventing organizations from being penalized when some participants cannot submit data through a single format.
“By preserving multiple collection methods through 2029 and piloting a thoughtful transition to digital quality measurement, this bill balances the need for innovation with the reality of today’s health IT systems. ACOs want to be held accountable for quality and outcomes, but it must be done in ways that are workable and do not undermine their ability to serve patients.
“We thank the Committee and its Members for their leadership on this issue. Accountable for Health urges Congress to advance this legislation and support policies that reduce administrative burden, strengthen participation in accountable care, and ensure a smooth pathway toward digital quality reporting.”
Contact:
Mara McDermott, CEO of Accountable for Health
mmcdermott@accountableforhealth.org
About Accountable for Health
Accountable for Health (A4H) is a 501(c)(4) national advocacy and policy analysis organization accelerating the adoption of sustainable, effective accountable care that improves health care quality and outcomes and lower costs. We represent a broad, diverse group of accountable care stakeholders working to improve the way health care is delivered to people across the county, across various payers, programs, and delivery models. A4H provides advocacy, research, and education to improve outcomes and patient experiences while lowering costs.
For more information, visit https://accountableforhealth.org/. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@acct4health). ###
Share
Accountable for Health supports the introduction of the bipartisan Patients First Act and looks forward to working with the bill's sponsors to strengthen these proposals and ensure they maximize physician participation in accountable care and improve quality while lowering costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
Accountable for Health is encouraged that CMS’s 2027 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule recognizes the central role primary care must play in building a stronger, more sustainable Medicare program.
Accountable for Health welcomed 2024 ACO REACH results, which showed nearly $1 billion in net Medicare savings while maintaining strong quality, further demonstrating the value of accountable care. We also urged policymakers to modernize how accountable care models are evaluated so assessments better reflect today's landscape and the latest evidence.
