Congress continues to closely analyze the movement towards APMs and the role of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) in facilitating greater specialty physician participation in value-based care.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a June 13 hearing, “Checking-in on CMMI: Assessing The Transition to Value-Based Care.” Members of both parties used the hearing to emphasize concern surrounding the lack of competition and rising rates of consolidation in U.S. health care, citing numerous demonstrations that helped foster improved patient outcomes. The AMA was joined by several other organizations in submitting comments for the hearing (PDF).

The House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee held a separate hearing, “Improving Value-Based Care for Patients and Providers.” These hearings could represent the start of greater congressional scrutiny regarding the ideal ways to improve value-based care in the coming decades.

In June, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its recommendations and touched on APM incentives.