Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today gave the following opening statement at a Health Subcommittee Hearing on the bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) that examined physician efforts to prepare for Medicare Payment Reforms.
Good morning. Thank you Mr. Chairman for holding this important hearing, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
We’re meeting to continue our discussion on one of the great bipartisan success stories of this Committee, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, or MACRA. Our panel of witnesses practice in a variety of settings across the country and represent diverse expertise and training. They each have a unique perspective to share with us regarding the implementation of MACRA.
The law put in place a dual track system for providers. Instead of the patchwork of quality reporting systems that providers currently use, they will instead use the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System or MIPS. MIPS will streamline quality reporting for providers and incentivize high-quality efficient care. Providers can also choose to use Alternative Payment Models or A-P-Ms, which have proven to increase quality and lower costs.
Today we will discuss the steps all providers can take to modernize their practices, provide higher quality care for their patients, and successfully transition to the new payment models established by MACRA.
This will be our second hearing on MACRA implementation and I’m pleased that this Committee is performing such thoughtful oversight. While we know that MACRA is already showing promising results, these hearings are necessary to ensure that the law reaches its full potential. I look forward to discussing the tools and best practices physicians can employ to help make MACRA work effectively for all. Thank you.
