Bill · H.R. 483· House(119-HR-483)
Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act
- Introduced
- 1/16/2025
- Last activity
- 1/16/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Vern Buchanan
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act," directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to delay the transition of accountable care organizations (ACOs) to electronic clinical quality metrics (eCQMs). The delay pushes the mandatory transition from the current CMS Web Interface portal to the new electronic system until January 1, 2030. Before this deadline, the Secretary must establish a pilot program to test digital reporting methods for a subset of ACOs and participants. This pilot program includes technical assistance and exemptions from mandatory eCQM requirements. Additionally, the Secretary is tasked with developing long-term digital quality reporting standards by January 1, 2030, through collaboration with various stakeholders.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+2
The bill requires that new digital quality reporting standards support various geographic locations, including rural areas.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+2
The bill seeks to ensure digital quality reporting standards are compatible across diverse practice sizes and geographic locations.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+1
The delay and pilot program help maintain the stability of Medicare quality reporting systems used for senior care.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Delay of mandatory eCQM transition: The bill instructs the Secretary to delay the requirement for ACOs to move from the CMS Web Interface portal to electronic clinical quality metrics until January 1, 2030 (Section 2(a)).
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Pilot program benefits: The Secretary will establish a pilot program to test digital reporting methods on a subset of ACOs and participants, which includes providing technical assistance and waivers from quality reporting requirements (Section 2(b)(1) and 2(b)(4)).
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Protection of incentive payments: Participation in the pilot program will not affect an ACO's or participant's ability to qualify for or earn specific incentive payments or payment adjustments (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Flexible reporting options: ACOs and participants may continue using existing methods, such as the CMS Web Interface portal, MIPS CQMs, or Medicare CQMs, until new standardized digital reporting methods are established (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Protection from penalties: No penalties will be imposed on ACOs or participants for failing to comply with eCQM requirements prior to January 1, 2030, as long as they follow existing reporting methods (Section 2(d)(2)).
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Inclusive standard development: The Secretary is required to develop digital quality reporting standards that ensure EHR systems can support digital reporting across different practice sizes, specialties, and geographic locations (Section 2(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Seniors+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+1
- 2/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas
Darin LaHoodRepublican · Illinois
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California