Hospitals and health systems are leading transformative efforts to provide better care at lower costs for patients and communities.  

Some are working collaboratively in their communities to offer expanded care options. Many are using technology to make it easier for patients to manage their own care. While others are innovating to find new ways to connect patients and caregivers.

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are also helping organizations improve care and lower costs. Many hospitals and health systems, including my own Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, have invested significant time and resources in establishing successful ACOs.

Our ACO teams focus on improving coordination between hospitals and post-acute care providers, expanding the use of health coaches and patient navigators, and bolstering data systems to better identify and understand care patterns. These efforts are yielding positive results for patients, caregivers and our health care system overall.

Just last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that the Medicare Shared Saving Program generated $739.4 million in total net savings in 2018 across 548 ACOs. Among other results, 93% of eligible ACOs earned quality improvement reward points, with ACOs showing the greatest improvements in preventive health measures.

The MSSP is one exciting pathway to more effective, efficient care. No matter what path your organization pursues to achieve these goals, rest assured, the AHA has tools and resources to help you on your journey to advance the health of individuals and communities.  

Thank you for everything you do to care for our patients and each other.  
 

Related News Articles

Chairperson's File
Public
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue…
Headline
The House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Health and Oversight held a joint hearing today to discuss lessons learned, challenges and opportunities to improve…
Headline
The AHA today expressed support for the Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Equity Act, a bill that would eliminate the 190-day lifetime limit on inpatient…
Headline
The AHA July 8 wrote in opposition to the “Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act” (H.R. 4002), which would repeal current law banning the creation…
Headline
The AHA July 3 released the Health Care Plan Accountability Update for the second quarter of 2025. The update covers the latest developments in Medicare…
Headline
The Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services today announced the creation of the DOJ-HHS False Claims Act Working Group to combat health care fraud…