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Episode 3 of Policy Prescriptions Podcast | May 18, 2026

Value-Based Care Explained | The Future of ACOs, Medicare & Healthcare Policy

Listen to Episode 3 of the Policy Prescriptions Podcast Series 

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About This Episode

What does “value-based care” actually mean, and why are healthcare leaders betting the future of medicine on it? In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, Gary Jacobs sits down with Aisha Pittman, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at National Association of ACOs, and Ray Quintero, Managing Partner at Healthsperien, for a deep conversation about the future of healthcare policy, Medicare reform, and accountable care organizations (ACOs). They break down how value-based care works, why fee-for-service medicine creates problems, and how new CMMI models, such as Long-term Enhanced Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Design (LEAD), are reshaping the healthcare system.

The conversation also explores:

  • How ACOs improve patient outcomes while lowering costs
  • Why healthcare providers are moving toward risk-based care
  • The role CMS and CMMI play in healthcare innovation
  • How policy changes move from pilot programs into law
  • Why healthcare lobbying is more about relationships than money
  • The future of Medicare and accountable care
  • The human side of healthcare leadership and advocacy
Gary, Aisha, and Ray also discuss mindfulness, leadership, and why collaboration matters in healthcare transformation.
 
If you work in healthcare policy, value-based care, Medicare strategy, hospital leadership, physician advocacy, or healthcare innovation, this episode gives a practical look at where the industry is headed next.
00:00 Introduction to Value-Based Care

01:35 What Value-Based Care Actually Means
 
03:47 How ACOs Change Healthcare Incentives
 
05:39 Helping Providers Navigate New Care Models
 
07:22 CMS, CMMI, and the Future of Healthcare Models
 
10:05 Why Healthcare Transformation Is Accelerating
 
12:00 ACO REACH vs ACO LEAD Explained
 
14:26 Bringing Specialists Into Accountable Care
 
15:18 Home-Based Care and High-Needs Patients
 
17:22 Why the LEAD Model Lasts 10 Years
 
18:33 The Mission Behind Healthcare Reform
 
20:20 Gary Jacobs on Yoga, Advocacy, and Leadership
 
23:38 Human Connection in Healthcare Policy
 
25:48 The Future of Value-Based Care
 
27:23 Will Fee-For-Service Ever Disappear?
 
29:43 What Healthcare Could Look Like in 10 Years
 
31:00 How Healthcare Models Become Law
 
33:18 Can Congress Actually Pass Reform?
 
36:29 Does Money Drive Healthcare Policy?
 
41:48 Why Relationships Matter More Than Lobbying Dollars
 
43:13 Final Thoughts
 
 

Aisha Pittman

Aisha Pittman, MPH, is the senior vice president of government affairs at the National Association of ACOs. In this role, Ms. Pittman leads NAACOS’ advocacy and thought leadership, promoting policies that will accelerate the adoption of value and highlighting the importance of provider-led transformation through value-based. She has over 20 years of experience in health care with a focus on payment, alternative payment models, and quality. Ms. Pittman was previously vice president of policy with Premier, Inc., a group purchasing organization representing health systems. She was responsible for working with policymakers, providers, and other health care stakeholders to reduce costs and improve the quality of health care. Prior to Premier, Pittman held senior management roles with the National Quality Forum, the Maryland Health Care Commission and CenterLight Healthcare, in addition to experience at the NCQA She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Public Health from The George Washington University. Ms. Pittman received GWU’s School of Public Health and Health Services Excellence in Health Policy Award.

Ray Quintero

Ray Quintero, Managing Partner at Healthsperien, LLC, brings decades of leadership in health care public policy, legislative and regulatory strategy, grassroots advocacy, and strategic communications. He leads our team of policy professionals in the development of comprehensive policy analysis, advocacy strategies, and legislative solutions, guiding clients through complex policy landscapes to address critical health care delivery and payment challenges.

Ray has developed expertise in addressing key issues supporting physicians and providers, expanding care in the home (including home-based primary care and hospital-at-home models), improving mental and behavioral health systems, and advancing value-based care. This work includes developing innovative policy solutions, crafting stakeholder engagement and advocacy strategies, and guiding clients in designing, implementing, and refining alternative payment models.

Read Ray’s full Healthsperien bio.