ABSTRACT
In the fury of the healthcare debate, most people have come to realize that the people spend a lot of money on healthcare in this country. Better outcomes at lower cost is the rallying cry because spiraling healthcare cost inflation has reached a tipping point-threatening to overwhelm federal, state, and personal budgets, while eroding US competitiveness and financial viability. Transparency, increased accountability, and a consumer-centered model for healthcare will be table stakes to achieve the goal of better health outcomes at lower cost. One of the most critical reform success factors, then, will be the proper alignment of payment with results: providing incentives for the right provider and consumer behaviors in order to achieve measurably better health outcomes. Since the US healthcare system has become so convoluted, piecemeal approaches to resolving the problem won't work and tend to exacerbate the situation. Significant readmissions penalties started with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and pneumonia in 2012.
