Reps. Schrier (WA-08), Joyce (PA-13) Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Medical Research, Enhance Patient Care and Outcomes
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) introduced the Access to Claims Data Act – a bipartisan bill that will strengthen medical research and improve overall patient care by providing physician researchers with access to Medicare claims data.
“Many physicians do research to improve our practice of medicine, which is always evolving,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “The massive quantity of data that Medicare can provide to those physician researchers will help them guide the rest of us in how to deliver the best care and outcomes to our patients.”
“As a physician, I understand that the practice of medicine must continue to evolve so patients receive the highest quality care,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “By introducing the bipartisan Access to Claims Data Act, we can ensure that clinical data is driving future innovations within the practice of medicine to ensure better outcomes for patients.”
The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a program that allows clinician-led clinical data registries access to Medicare claims data for research, quality of care measurement, and reporting. Clinician-led clinical data registries are data repositories operated by physician groups that collect information about particular diseases and therapies.
“Access to robust, longitudinal claims data is essential to improving the quality and value of surgical care,” said Joseph F. Sabik, III, MD, President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). “The Access to Claims Data Act gives physicians access to a broader view of patient care. When combined with existing specialty-specific data, it can help us better understand outcomes, close gaps in care, and deliver more effective treatment for our patients.”
“AAOS is grateful to Representatives Kim Schrier and John Joyce for their leadership in introducing the Access to Claims Data Act,” saidAdam Bruggeman, M.D., FAAOS, chair of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons Advocacy Council. “As the operator of five musculoskeletal clinical data registries, we know firsthand how critical access to Medicare claims data is for evaluating long-term outcomes and driving meaningful improvements in patient care. This bipartisan legislation will help clinician-led registries like ours overcome current barriers and empower orthopaedic surgeons to continue innovating and improving healthcare for their patients."
“Improving patient care starts with better data—and the Access to Claims Data Act is a critical step forward. For more than 25 years, the ACC’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry has helped transform cardiovascular care through real-world evidence and outcomes research,” said American College of Cardiology President Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC. “But the ability to track long-term effectiveness is hampered by regulatory barriers that block access to critical federal claims data. Without full access to Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program claims data, it is more difficult to understand how our therapies work over time. This bill cuts through the red tape, allowing clinician-led registries the ability to deliver more accurate insights, improve patient safety, and drive value-based care across the nation.”