Value in Health Care Act of 2021 Essay

Introduction. Bill Identification and Summary

• Value in Health Care Act of 2021;
• H.R.4587 – 117th Congress (2021-2022);
• Changes in methodologies and components;
• Changes concern the Medicare Shares Savings Program;
• ACO to receive payments for savings;
• Requires to increase savings and reduce operational costs.

Connection to a professional nursing practice standard

If passed

• Assessment and diagnosis are made with accountability in mind;
• Value-based care becomes the main focus;
• Considerations of racial disparities are embedded;

If not passed

• Savings within the standards or practice remain low;
• There is a lack of planning and evaluation.

Impact of the bill on nursing practice (if passed)

• Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are:
• Incentivized to participate in equitable policy creation;
• Monitor savings rates and increase them steadily;
• Can eliminate high-low revenue distinction;
• To receive advanced funding from the government;
• To boost their accountability regarding health disparities.

Impact of the bill on nursing practice (if not passed)

• The quality of care levels may remain low;
• There may be a lack of control over spending;
• The number of ACOs in Medicare will decrease;
• Barriers to Medicare participation will remain;
• Performance metrics on care are not updated;
• Health equity considerations remain unaddressed.

Communication strategies

• Liaising directly with organizations supporting the bill:
• American Hospital Association;
• American Medical Association;
• Federation of American Hospitals, etc.;
• Writing letters to Congress in support of the bill;
• Sharing the latest updates on social media;
• Asking providers questions about the bill’s benefits.

Community impact of the bill (if passed)

• Taxpayers will get higher savings;
• The quality and outcomes of care can increase;
• Minority communities will encounter fewer racial disparities;
• Improved care coordination and control (Moore, 2021);
• Stronger cost control with reduced risk;
• More awareness of how costs are used.

References

H.R.4587 – Value in Health Care Act of 2021. (2021). Web.

Moore, S. (2021). Fourteen healthcare groups support the Value in Health Care Act. Web.