NACDS welcomes Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network at White House event

 

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores board of directors joined President Barack Obama and Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell Wednesday morning at The White House in launching the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network. 

 

This initiative brings stakeholders together to share best practices to improve quality and reduce the cost of health care by accelerating health care alternative payment models. 

 

“We were honored to be included in today’s event at The White House," noted Steven Anderson, NACDS president and CEO. "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 health care system.  We will continue to highlight the need to ensure pharmacy is included in innovative care delivery models.” 

 

Also on hand was NACDS chairman, John Standley, who is also Rite Aid chairman and CEO. Rite Aid announced Wednesday its participation in the Network. “As one of the nation’s leading pharmacy chains with nearly 90,000 associates, Rite Aid is committed to the goals of value-based health care and remains highly focused on delivering quality, cost-effective care that drives the best possible health outcomes for our patients," the company stated. "We support the Administration and Congress in their efforts to achieve these critical goals and look forward to actively participating in the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network."

 

Rite Aid is working with its benefit administration partners to have more than 50% of its company and associates’ medical spend supported by health care access through alternative models by 2018, the Pennsylvania-based retailer added. “Rite Aid applauds President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Burwell for their leadership in forming the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network. We are proud to join this important initiative and look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to drive improvements and innovation throughout our nation’s health care delivery system.”

 

In January, HHS announced plans to increase the use of value-based payments in the Medicare system. As a part of this plan, HHS has set goals that tie increasing percentages of Medicare fee-for-service payments to quality or value through alternative payment models - such as accountable care organizations - annually through 2018.  

 

The Health Care Payment and Learning Action Network will serve as a mechanism to facilitate the sharing and learning of workable value-based payments models. Specifically, the Network will work with stakeholders, including payers, providers, states and consumers groups, to accelerate the adoption of alternative payment methods. Stakeholders, including pharmacy, will collaborate to identify, develop and implement commonsense approaches to move toward alternative payment models employing quality and performance measurement among others.