HCTTF Applauds HHS Nominee Azar for Commitment to Value-Based Care

Statement by Jeff Micklos, Executive Director, Health Care Transformation Task Force
On HHS Nominee Alex Azar’s Testimony before the Senate Finance Committee

The Health Care Transformation Task Force welcomes comments by Health and Human Services (HHS) nominee Alex Azar during a Senate Finance Committee hearing. In outlining his four core goals should he be confirmed HHS Secretary, Azar said, “we must harness the power of Medicare to shift the focus in our healthcare system from paying for procedures and sickness to paying for health and outcomes.” The Task Force could not agree more. Over the past decade and a half, through Republican and Democratic administrations, the federal government has played an important role in advancing value-based payment and care delivery, and Mr. Azar played an influential part in promoting value during prior senior roles at HHS. The imperative for the health care industry to innovate towards a value-based system remains more important than ever. The goal of affordable, high-quality health care that best meets the needs of consumers and patients is clinically, economically, and morally indisputable.  We welcome HHS nominee Azar’s leadership on the value-based care agenda.

About Health Care Transformation Task Force

Health Care Transformation Task Force is a unique collaboration of patients, payers, providers and purchasers working to lead a sweeping transformation of the health care system. By transitioning to value-based models that support the Triple Aim of better health, better care and lower costs, the Task Force is committed to accelerating the transformation to value in health care. To learn more, visit www.hcttf.org.

Task Force Members: Aetna • agilon health • Aledade •  American Academy of Family Physicians •  Archway Health  • Ascension • Atrius Health • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan • carecentrix  • ChenMed • Cleveland Clinic  • Community Catalyst • Concerto Health • Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health • Dignity Health • Encompass Health • Evolent Health • Greenville Health System • New Mexico Health Connections • Heritage Provider Network • HRHCare • Mark McClellan • National Health Law Program • National Partnership for Women & Families • OSF HealthCare • Pacific Business Group on Health • Partners Healthcare • Patientping • Premier • Remedy Partners • SCL Health •  The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice • Trinity Health • Tucson Medical Center • Washington State Health Care Authority  • UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust