NACDS joins launch of White House healthcare initiative
The board of directors of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores recently joined President Barack Obama at the administration’s launch of its Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network.
The board of directors of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) recently joined President Barack Obama at the administration’s launch of its Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network.
The initiative is designed to facilitate the sharing of best practices to improve quality and reduce healthcare costs by advancing alternative payment models.
The pharmacist's role in a changing healthcare landscape
The Affordable Care Act has established payment models that reimburse healthcare providers for the quality of care provided, rather than the quantity of care. The alternative payment models provide financial incentives for healthcare providers to coordinate patient care and eliminate unnecessary costs.
“We were honored to be included in today’s event at The White House. And we look forward to working with the administration and other industry stakeholders to promote the value pharmacy and pharmacists bring to advancing patient health and a more efficient healthcare system,” NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE said. “We will continue to highlight the need to ensure pharmacy is included in innovative care delivery models.”
Through the network, stakeholders such as pharmacy will collaborate to identify, develop, and implement alternative payment models employing quality and performance measurements.
“It is in our common interest to build a healthcare system that delivers better care, spends our healthcare dollars more wisely, and results in healthier people,” said Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “When government and business work together we can all benefit. Patients can get the right care at the right time, doctors can achieve the best ideals of their profession, and healthcare can be more affordable for individuals and companies.”
Earlier this year, HHS announced a goal of tying 30% of payments to quality and value through alternative payment models by 2016; and 50% by 2018.
