Bill would factor sociodemographic risk into hospital readmission rates

Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) today introduced AHA-supported legislation (S. 688/H.R. 1343) that would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to adjust a hospital’s performance in the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program based on the sociodemographic status of its patients. “When recovering from illness or injury, everyone wants to get better as quickly as possible,” said AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack. “That’s why hospitals are strongly committed to reducing unnecessary readmissions. Today’s legislation will improve the fairness of CMS’ readmissions program and help ensure hospitals have the critical resources needed to care for their most vulnerable patients.”