The Senate Sept. 26 unanimously passed S. 870, the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017. The bill, authored by Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) is aimed at streamlining Medicare’s payment system to incentivize the appropriate level of care, increasing care coordination among individual providers across care settings who are treating individuals living with chronic illnesses, and facilitating the delivery of high quality care.
The AAMC May 12 sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee praising the legislation and applauding the continued bipartisan approach of the committee to improve care and outcomes for Medicare patients with chronic conditions [see Washington Highlights, May 19].
The legislation now goes to the House for a vote.