CMS to post audio download of public “listening session” on ACO’s

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services held a special Open Door Forum on the formation and use of accountable care organizations (ACO’s), organizations of health care providers that agree to be accountable for the quality, cost, and overall care of their patients.  The session was intended to gain input from stakeholders, including physicians, hospitals, physician groups and consumers.  An audio recording of this session will be available for downloading in early July at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp 

(Sources: AHA News Now, http://ahanews.com, June 4, 2010; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, http://www.cms.gov, June 24, 2010)