The United States will grant nearly $700 million to health departments, hospital groups, physician associations and others to improve patient care, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Here are six notes:
1. The grants were funded under the Affordable Care Act and reflect discussions between Sylvia Matthews Burwell, Health and Human Services secretary, and Congress on changing the way healthcare is delivered.
2. Almost 40 national and regional healthcare networks and groups were given $685 million. The funding will be allocated toward programs such as continuing education and training on how to utilize patient data to enhance care.
3. Some of the recipients include the American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Radiology and American Board of Family Medicine. The American Board of Family Medicine will collaborate with family physicians to move them toward a wellness-based approach to care.
4. Additionally, universities, health departments, health collocations and hospitals including Mayo Clinic will be granted funds.
5. Those in favor of the initiative claim it will lower healthcare costs despite growing health spending costs. In 2014, healthcare spending grew 5.5 percent and will rise 5.3 percent this year.
6. Opponents of the initiative state there is not sufficient evidence proving that changing the way providers are paid will result in cost savings.
More articles on practice management:
Med students self-reflect to become better physicians — 5 key points
Stanford Healthcare CEO to join UnitedHealth Group's Optum: 5 notes
Montana health system launches joint replacement guarantee: 5 things to know