Manatee Review

Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chair of the Health Subcommittee, has introduced a new bipartisan bill aimed at improving digital reporting in the healthcare sector. The Healthcare Efficiency Through Flexibility Act seeks to delay the implementation of a proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rule requires Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to transition to electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQMs), which are standardized electronic measures used to assess healthcare quality.

Buchanan expressed concerns about the costs and burdens this transition would impose on ACOs. "The shift to new healthcare reporting measures must not place undue burden on Medicare providers or jeopardize value-based care," he stated. He emphasized that his legislation aims to ensure a smoother transition to an interoperable health system by delaying implementation and piloting new digital reporting methods.

The bill is co-sponsored by Democrat Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw, with support from several healthcare organizations including Accountable for Health, Advocate Health, Duke Health, Novant Health, WakeMed, FirstHealth, Cone Health, and the National Association of ACOs (NAACOS).

Rep. Panetta noted that "the move to a temporary reporting system would add additional paperwork and hinder Medicare providers." He argued that the bill would reduce bureaucracy and allow providers to focus on delivering quality care.

Rep. Crenshaw highlighted the importance of avoiding unreasonable reporting requirements for physicians. "This legislation gives us time to successfully transition to health care that is paid for based on quality and good outcomes," he said.

Mara McDermott, CEO of Accountable for Health, remarked on the potential benefits of transitioning to eCQMs but stressed that it must be done thoughtfully. She stated that Buchanan's legislation provides a path for smoother implementation.

A spokesperson for Advocate Health expressed gratitude towards Reps. Buchanan, Panetta, and Crenshaw for addressing what they see as unnecessary regulation.

Emily Brower from Trinity Health noted that CMS's current requirements are costly and burdensome. She pointed out that some small independent primary care practices have withdrawn from ACOs due to these demands. Brower supports Buchanan's legislation as it addresses critical obstacles before implementing a program-wide mandate.

In addition to his roles in Congress related to healthcare oversight, Buchanan serves as Vice Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.