September 13,2007

Press Contact:

Carol Guthrie (Baucus)

Jill Gerber (Grassley)

(202) 224-4515

Finance Leaders Seek Status of Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Plan

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have asked the Department of Health and Human Services to explain the status of a hospital value-based purchasing plan, which the department was required to deliver in legislation enacted in 2005. Grassley, the ranking member of the Finance Committee, and Baucus, the chairman, are interested in making sure the federal government makes timely progress in linking Medicare payments to quality. The plan due from HHS is an important step toward that goal, especially if legislation is required for implementation.

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