PCPCC Statement to Senate Finance Committee in Support of Health Care Payment Reform

In a July 18 letter to Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, D-MT, and ranking member Orrin Hatch, R-UT, the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) urges Congress to support public policies that shift the current fee-for-service (FFS) system to a fee-for value system built on a strong foundation of patient-centered primary care.

Specifically we support current proposals before Congress that recommend a phased-in approach to payment reforms, and allow for additional research on the best methodologies to support the medical home. These proposals include reforming Medicare over a multi-year period, and applying new payment models that move away from FFS as we learn which models are best suited for which types of care, and in which environments. Once proven, these models should be scaled appropriately to allow for greater participation by providers throughout the entire health care system.