Little Rivers in Wells River, Bradford, and East Corinth and Mountain Community Health in Bristol are among the clinics currently under consideration for an ACO Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (REACH) Model. This is of state-wide interest because it could be your community next.
This Medicare "innovation model" allows for-profit corporations, and even private equity financed firms, to bill Medicare at inflated rates and then claim they "saved money." The Bristol Democratic Committee is hosting an educational Zoom meeting on Wednesday, November 29th at 7 p.m., on ACO REACH. Here is the link to register for this program:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpfuqppj4vGNGam4_fljTgrX8X62PDuoQh
Dr. Betty Keller, M.D., president of Vermont Physicians for a National Health Program (VT PNHP), and Dr. Marvin Malek, M.D., MPH, an internist in Berlin, Vermont, and past president of VT PNHP, will lead the discussion and take questions after their presentation. The program will be recorded and be available for viewing at neatBristol.com.
You can read more about ACO REACH at the following link: https://pnhp.org/corporations-are-reaching-for-traditional-medicare/
The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) had a hearing on November 15 and fortunately they have extended the public comment period to noon on Tuesday, December 5th. Because Vytalize is proposing a Medicare-only ACO, they do not need GMCB certification for the model, only approval for the budget. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is responsible for the certification.
To comment to the GMCB regarding approval for the budget for this ACO, go to this link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=O5O0IK26PEOcAnDtzHVZxm2sWssBnnJHpO34bJFS[...]Wcu
For more information, please contact Betty Keller at Vermont@pnhp.org.