AdvaMed Statement on House Ways & Means Subcommittee Hearing on Modernizing the Stark Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) issued the following statement from President and CEO Scott Whitaker on today’s hearing in the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee on modernizing the Stark Law on physician self-referral:

“Our nation’s health care laws work best when they allow all health care contributors to engage in innovative arrangements that ensure American patients have timely access to the best in medical care. Today’s hearing supports that goal, and we commend the leadership of the Subcommittee for exploring ways to modernize the Stark Law as the U.S. health care system continues its transition from a fee-for-service model to one that better promotes value-based health care.

“Health care delivery systems are evolving to provide more integrated and coordinated care for patients. This evolution promises better outcomes and efficiencies, which is something we all seek. However, while adapting the Stark Law to meet the needs of this new model of care is important, it is only part of the challenge. We urge members of Congress to also look at modernizing the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), which also limits the ability of manufacturers to improve care coordination and accountability through new partnerships with providers and hospitals.

“The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been developing proposals to address barriers to coordinated care, including modernization of AKS. AdvaMed strongly supports these efforts and will continue to work with the HHS Office of the Inspector General and other stakeholders to improve outcomes, enhance patient satisfaction, and reduce costs.

“Modernizing both the Stark Law and AKS will help ensure patients experience the full benefits of a health care system that puts a premium on quality, efficiency and improving outcomes. We look forward to working with Congress and all other stakeholders in pursuit of this goal.”