The House and Senate are both in session next week. 

• New Legislation to Preserve Patient Access to Accountable Care. Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL), together with Representatives Neal Dunn (R-FL), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Kim Schrier (D-WA) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Patients Access to Accountable Care Act. The bill would extend the incentive payments for qualifying participants in advanced alternative payment models through payment year 2027 at an increased amount of 3.53 percent and would freeze the qualifying participant thresholds. A4H worked closely with Members of Congress to introduce this legislation and is grateful for the bipartisan commitment to this policy that incentivizes the adoption of accountable care. 
• New Legislation to Alleviate Medicare Physician Pay Cut. Congressman Greg Murphy, MD (R-NC) and a bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill to address the 2.83 percent cut to Medicare physician payments, which took effect on January 1. The legislation includes a 6.62 percent increase in Medicare physician payments beginning April 1. The sponsors hope this measure will stabilize physician practices and protect patients’ access to care. A4H applauds efforts to improve physician payment in the short term and encourages stakeholders to continue to pursue longer term reforms to Medicare’s physician payment system. 
• RFK, Jr. Highlights Value-Based Care in Hearings. Last week, before the Senate Finance Committee, Robert F. Kennedy (RFK), Jr., highlighted the importance of value-based care and the significance of health care reforms to drive the system towards this transition. Responding to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) about what can be done to improve services and cost-efficiency, Mr. Kennedy said, “the ultimate outcome, I think, is to increase transparency, to increase accountability, and to transition to a value-based system rather than a fee-based system…” Mr. Kennedy continued to say “we need to keep our eye on the ultimate goal, which is value-based care, which is transparency, accountability, access.” The Committee voted along party lines to favorably report Mr. Kennedy’s nomination to the full Senate; a final vote on his confirmation is anticipated next week. A4H welcomes Mr. Kennedy’s support for the transition to value-based care and looks forward to working with HHS and CMS to advance these shared policy goals.

OMB Funding Freeze Halted by Federal Judges. Last week, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memorandum to federal agencies ordering a freeze on all federal financial assistance, pursuant to several of President Trump’s executive orders (EOs) on energy and environment, foreign affairs, diversity, and reproductive care. There was significant confusion over the breadth and scope of what programs and funding streams were halted as state Medicaid portals became unavailable and community health centers (CHCs) were cut off from grant funding. OMB rescinded the memo but stated the policy of freezing and reviewing funding was still in effect. Two lawsuits were filed in federal court, and temporary restraining orders (TROs) were granted in both. Under the TROs, federal funding that has not been obligated, negotiated, or otherwise entered into a contractual agreement is not and may not be paused due to the OMB’s memo or the EOs implicated in the memo. However, in practice, agencies and departments may implement the order unevenly. Reports suggest staff in various agencies are slow-rolling funding or choosing to wait for further instruction from political appointees, indicating that even obligated funding may experience a ”chilling effect” due to the memo. A4H will continue to monitor these developments. View the original OMB memo here, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia TRO here, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island TRO here.

Future of Accountable Care: Lessons Learned and Potential Paths Forward During a Time of Transition. A recent Health Affairs Forefront article examines the landscape of accountable care during this presidential transition period. The article discusses opportunities and challenges facing accountable care and notes a few potential policy directions for consideration. Specifically, the article calls out the need for more streamlined access to data for patients, clinicians, and advocates. Greater transparency, a priority of the previous Trump administration, could strengthen the infrastructure for accountable care and improve patient care. The article also discusses the need for administrative simplicity in accountable care models and multiplayer alignment on critical measures. A4H provided feedback and insights to inform the article.

Accountable for Health is pleased to work with stakeholder organizations to support Health Care Value Week, a week of action to support value-based care education and advocacy. We would like to invite our members and friends to participate in the following Value Week events (please note separate registrations):

• Register for A4H In-Person Value Week Event, February 25. A4H will host a day-long in-person conference in conjunction with Health Care Value Week in Washington, DC. Hear Congressional, Administration, community and provider perspectives on accountable care. Sessions include state approaches to affordability, data and health information technology, and clinical perspectives to advance health care delivery. This event is complimentary and open to members and non-members of Accountable for Health. You can register and view the draft agenda and full list of speakers on our website.

• A4H In-Person Innovation Showcase, February 26. A4H and the Innovation Caucus will host a showcase at the Rayburn House Office Building from 11am to 1pm. Attendees can walk through the Rayburn foyer and visit A4H member displays to hear first-hand their approaches to accountable care. Register here.

• Virtual Value-Based Payment Summit, February 24-28, the Virtual Health Care Value week conference is a week-long series of sessions featuring speakers on a variety of value-based care topics. You can register and view the full list of sessions on their website.