The ACC has sent a letter in strong support of S. 2501, the Hospital Readmissions Program Accuracy and Accountability Act of 2014. This important legislation ensures that hospitals treating a large proportion of low-income patients are not unfairly penalized by the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. " Your legislation requiring CMS to account for patient socioeconomic status when calculating risk-adjusted readmissions penalties will more accurately capture the quality of care provided while protecting hospitals who serve the country's poorest, most vulnerable, and often sickest patients," the letter states. "This is imperative as failing to appropriately adjust for a patient's socioeconomic status may lead to disincentives to provide care for low-income communities which in turn can further increase disparities." Effectively reducing hospital readmissions is in line with the College's strategic effort to meet the triple aim of better care, better outcomes and lower costs.

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