Which legislation aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality through transitions of care?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed with a strong focus on reducing healthcare costs and enhancing the quality of care provided to patients, particularly through effective transitions of care. The legislation introduced a variety of mechanisms aimed at improving care coordination, which is crucial during transitions between different care settings, such as from hospitals to outpatient services.

For instance, the ACA established various programs, like accountable care organizations (ACOs) and bundled payment models, which incentivize providers to work collaboratively to ensure patients receive seamless care. This focus on care transitions is critical, as improving communication and coordination can significantly impact patient outcomes and reduce avoidable readmissions, ultimately driving down overall healthcare costs.

The other legislative options focus on different aspects of health care but do not specifically target the dual goals of cost reduction and quality improvement through transitions of care to the same extent as the ACA. For example, while the Medicare Modernization Act made strides in drug coverage and access to Medicare services, it does not primarily focus on transitions of care. The Health Care Quality Improvement Act is more about addressing medical malpractice and improving the quality of care through peer review rather than direct transitions. Finally, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act focuses on enhancing patient safety and quality improvement initiatives but is not directly tied