225 House members urge CMS to delay overall hospital quality star ratings

Apr 19, 2016 - 11:13 AM

Two-hundred and twenty-five House lawmakers April 18 urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to delay the April 21 release of the overall hospital quality star ratings in order “to provide the necessary time to more closely examine the star rating methodology, analyze its impact on different types of hospitals, and provide more transparent information regarding the calculation of the ratings to determine accuracy.”

The representatives , “While we support the public reporting of provider quality data, we are concerned that the current Star Ratings system may not accurately take into account hospitals that treat patients with low socioeconomic status or multiple complex chronic conditions. We appreciate CMS’s recognition in previous rulemaking of the effects these patient populations have on Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and urge CMS to give similar consideration to the similar effects on the Hospital Compare Star Ratings system.”

The letter was spearheaded by Reps. Jim Renacci, R-Ohio, and Bill Pascrell, D-N.J.

Sixty senators sent a similar to CMS last week.

Related News Articles

Headline
FDA announces recall for certain IV bags
The Food and Drug Administration published a notice from Amneal Pharmaceutical that said the company is recalling two lots of its Ropivacaine Hydrochloride…
Headline
Recall issued for aspiration system by Q’Apel Medical
The Food and Drug Administration has identified a Class I recall of Q’Apel Medical 072 Aspiration System after the company submitted three device event reports…
Headline
FDA issues alerts on certain catheters produced by BD, Conavi
The Food and Drug Administration has issued alerts for issues with certain catheters made by BD and Conavi. BD identified an increase in material fatigue…
Headline
AHA launches online collaborative focused on quality improvement
The AHA Living Learning Network is launching the Quality Exchange, a virtual collaborative for health care quality and patient safety professionals at…
Headline
AHA webpage highlights how hospitals and health systems integrate patient safety
As part of the AHA's Patient Safety Initiative, a dedicated webpage features case studies showing how hospitals and health systems across the nation are…
Headline
FDA recalls Medtronic Aortic Root Cannulas 
The Food and Drug Administration has identified a Class I recall of Medtronic Aortic Root Cannulas due to a risk of unexpected loose material in the male luer…