The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued an Oct. 16 request for comments on how to implement a Quality Bonus System as part of the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) system, as authorized under the Children’s Hospitals GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 1557). HRSA anticipates implementing the program beginning in fiscal year (FY) 2019 and revisions starting in FY 2020.
Funding for the Quality Bonus System will come from amounts appropriated under the CHGME program that are not distributed, which HRSA estimates to be $3 million annually. In FY 2019, the bonus would be based on: (1) a demonstration of the children’s hospital’s engagement in a state or regional-level initiatives by the hospital to transform pediatric health care to improve access, quality, and cost effectiveness, and (2) demonstration of resident trainee engagement in these activities. For 2020 and beyond, the agency is seeking comment on appropriate GME outcomes measures to “assess and distinguish performance in meaningful ways.” Examples might include number of graduate in high need pediatric specialties, service to high need rural or underserved communities, and children’s hospital quality outcomes.
The AAMC will be submitting comments, which are due Dec. 15.