The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have established the Healthcare Advisory Committee. This panel of experts will provide guidance on improving the financing and delivery of health care services under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. The committee will report directly to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
In a statement, Secretary Kennedy emphasized the need for reform, saying, “Every American deserves high-quality, affordable care — without red tape, corporate greed, or excessive costs.” He added that the advisory committee would bring together leading minds in healthcare to achieve tangible results and enhance accountability within the system.
Objectives of the Committee
The Healthcare Advisory Committee has been tasked with developing actionable policy recommendations and exploring opportunities to modernize care delivery. According to CMS, the committee’s focus will include several key areas:
– **Chronic Disease Prevention and Management**: Developing strategies to mitigate preventable diseases and improve long-term health outcomes.
– **Accountability Frameworks**: Proposing a regulatory structure that prioritizes patient safety and outcomes while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens.
– **Real-Time Data Integration**: Utilizing data-driven solutions to enhance claims processing, improve quality measurement, and reward high-performing providers.
– **Medicaid Program Enhancements**: Identifying structural improvements to elevate care standards for vulnerable populations.
– **Sustainability of Medicare Advantage**: Evaluating methods to modernize risk adjustment and quality measures to ensure the effectiveness of the program and enhance patient outcomes.
Nomination Process and Call for Experts
CMS is currently accepting nominations for membership on the advisory committee. Individuals and organizations with expertise in chronic disease prevention, healthcare financing, delivery system reform, and data integration are encouraged to apply. Nominations must be submitted within 30 days of the committee’s announcement in the Federal Register.
Administrator Oz highlighted the urgency of reform across federal health programs, stating, “This is a moment for action.” He called on experts nationwide to contribute to this initiative, aiming to cut waste, reduce paperwork, and modernize CMS programs while keeping patients at the center of care.
The establishment of the Healthcare Advisory Committee underscores HHS and CMS’s commitment to aligning policy, technology, and patient-focused reforms. The goal is to improve health outcomes while ensuring program integrity and long-term sustainability across federal health initiatives.
