FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2015
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell today announced $685 million in awards to 39 national and regional health care networks and supporting organizations to help equip more than 140,000 clinicians with the tools and support needed to improve quality of care, increase patients’ access to information, and reduce costs. The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative is one of the largest federal investments designed to support doctors and other clinicians in all 50 states through collaborative and peer-based learning networks.
Secretary Burwell released the awards in conjunction with a roundtable discussion today with Members of Congress and health care leaders on the transformation taking place across our nation to move our health care system to one that rewards value over volume.
“Supporting doctors and other health care professionals change the way they work is critical to improving quality and spending our health care dollars more wisely,” said Secretary Burwell. “These awards will give patients more of the information they need to make informed decisions about their care and give clinicians access to information and support to improve care coordination and quality outcomes.”
Today’s awards will support 29 medical group practices, regional health care systems, and regional extension centers in offering peer-to-peer support to primary and specialty physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical pharmacists, and their practices. These efforts include:
In addition, 10 national organizations and health care professional associations will receive up to $27 million to:
A few specific examples include -
Patrick Conway, MD, acting principal deputy administrator and chief medical officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said, “As a practicing physician, I know the importance of quality improvement support and sharing of best practices to help clinicians transform their practice and deliver outstanding care to every person. This support is critical to achieve better care, smarter spending, and healthier people.”
These awards are part of a comprehensive strategy advanced by the Affordable Care Act that enables new levels of coordination, continuity, and integration of care, while transitioning volume-driven systems to value-based, patient-centered, health care services. It builds upon successful models and programs such as the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Organization Program, Partnership for Patients with Hospital Engagement Networks, and Accountable Care Organizations.
For more information on the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative, visit:http://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/Transforming-Clinical-Practices/
For a list of awardees and their project abstracts, visit http://cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2015-Fact-sheets-items/2015-09-29.html.