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.