Disappointment Abounds Regarding ACO Regs
In this pair of articles, Modern Healthcare reports on the American Hospital Association's criticism of the antitrust approach included in the accountable care organization regulations recently released by the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as on the negative reaction expressed by a Cleveland Clinic executive.
Modern Healthcare: AHA Knocks Antitrust Approach In ACO Regs
The American Hospital Association says the CMS lacks the authority to enforce antitrust laws against accountable-care organizations, and the first ACO to be denied approval of its plans will have an actionable claim to litigate in the courts (Carlson and Blesch 05/31).
Modern Healthcare: ACO Regs Disappoint: Cleveland Clinic
The Cleveland Clinic's chief executive, in a letter to the head of the CMS (PDF), called Medicare's plans for accountable care organizations prescriptive, burdensome and discouraging. Dr. Delos Cosgrove, president and CEO of the 11-hospital system, said its officials finished a review "disappointed generally" with the proposals released two months ago to create Medicare ACOs. The highly anticipated plans ... have been largely rejected by hospitals and physicians as too onerous with too little potential financial gain. Under accountable care contracts, Medicare could pay bonuses or demand repayment from providers based on the quality and cost of care for enrollees (Evans, 05/31).
