December 19,2011

Press Contact:

Communications Office
(202) 224-4515

Baucus Praises Formation of New Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations

MEMORANDUM

To:        Reporters and Editors
From:    The Communications Office of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Re:        Baucus Praises Formation of New Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today praised the formation of new Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which will join primary care doctors, hospitals, specialists and other caregivers in groups to deliver improved, coordinated care.  The Department of Health and Human Services announced the formation of the Pioneer ACOs earlier today.  As a product of the Affordable Care Act that Chairman Baucus helped craft and pass in the Senate, the Pioneer ACO initiative was created to implement and test new methods of improving care while reducing costs in Medicare.  From Chairman Baucus:

“These Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations will improve treatment and save money by making Medicare more nimble and responsive to our seniors’ needs.  And these organizations will pave the way to affordable, high-quality care throughout our healthcare system.  Seniors are already saving money on better treatment thanks to health reform, and the efficient and coordinated care delivered by Pioneer ACOs will drive that progress even further.”

###