CMS Releases MACRA/Quality Payment Program Final Rule

On Friday, Oct. 14, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the Medicare Quality Payment Program, which implements the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and replaces the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula. The Quality Payment Program has two tracks for payment: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

Republican Sweep Portends Changes for Health Care

Elizabeth Fassbender, Catherine Boudreaux, Stacie Monroe; Manthan Bhatt

In an unexpected sweep of both executive and legislative races, Republicans not only clinched the White House but also retained control of both the House and Senate. Although Donald Trump proved to be a polarizing nominee, exit polls showed that 9 out of 10 Republicans voted for him. Wins in states such as Michigan and Wisconsin enabled Mr. Trump to earn more than the 270 electoral votes (Fig. 1) required to secure the presidency.