FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2015 Contact: Olivia Doherty, [email protected], 240-899-5744 (cell) Statement on White House Launch of “Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network” from the National Association of Medicaid Directors Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Medicaid Directors released the following statement on today’s White House launch of the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network. The Network brings together representatives from the private and public sectors to focus efforts on Medicare payment reforms that pay providers based on quality rather than the quantity of care given to patients. The following statement is from Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors: Medicare is a critically important part of the U.S. health care system, and Medicaid Directors welcome Medicare as a partner in pioneering reforms. Our nation needs a health care system that rewards value, not volume. As the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network begins its work, we look forward to sharing promising practices. Already, state Medicaid agencies across the country are actively innovating new models of health care. Fortyfour states are studying, planning or implementing health homes that help patients comprehensively manage their care and connect with community resources. In 18 states, Medicaid agencies are exploring or implementing accountable care organizations which encourage greater coordination among health care providers and incentivize better health outcomes. And 21 states are studying, planning or operating episodic payment models that package together a set of health care services at a single price to encourage providers to coordinate their efforts, reduce costs and improve care. These models are beginning to show results in giving people better care while reducing costs. As Medicaid Directors, we strongly support efforts that will improve health care for all Americans. Medicaid programs have experience in implementing reforms that promote value-based payment models, and we look forward to working closely with Medicare on our common goals. This new effort in Medicare comes at a particularly salient time as we work together in a range of multi-payer initiatives to provide meaningful solutions to challenges in our nation’s complex health care system. We applaud President Obama, Secretary Burwell and health care leaders for demonstrating their commitment to a stronger, more sustainable health care system that will better serve the American people. ### The National Association of Medicaid Directors is a bipartisan, nonprofit, professional organization representing leaders of state Medicaid agencies across the country. Our members serve as innovative leaders who oversee Medicaid, a national health care safety net program, which covers more than 72 million Americans. For more information, visit www.medicaiddirectors.org.