ICQV endorses AMGA as primary clinical integration advocate

Leaders of the Institute for Clinical Quality and Value (ICQV) have officially dissolved the organization effective June 30, 2011 and endorsed the American Medical Group Association® (AMGA) as the best venue for healthcare leaders to share ideas, experiences, and best practices in the creation of structures, programs, and initiatives that improve clinical quality and efficiency. AMGA announced that it is collaborating with former board members of ICQV to transition membership, and create a learning collaborative dedicated to clinical integration and value that will carry forward the momentum created by ICQV. ICQV will be transferring its assets to the American Medical Group Foundation (AMGF), AMGA's 501(c)(3) subsidiary, to support the efforts going forward.

"We view this expansion as a very natural and logical transition for our association," saidDonald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, AMGA's president and chief executive officer. "For over 60 years, AMGA has helped its members with measurement of health outcomes and other data for clinical and service quality improvement. Many of our members are leaders in quality improvement and have developed new tools and programs for improving health outcomes, lowering the cost of care, and increasing patient satisfaction. Through learning collaboratives, best practice compendiums, and other tools, we have the resources to help ICQV's members continue their pursuit of collaboration among hospitals, doctors, and health plans, which is a key to driving necessary improvements in the American healthcare system."

AMGAreports that this transaction is neither a merger nor an acquisition between the two organizations. Rather, AMGA has developed a transition plan for former ICQV members to become members of AMGA and participate in the new ICQV structure. AMGA has formed a Learning Collaborative for Clinical Integration and Value (CCIV) that will serve as the vehicle to continue the work of ICQV and expand its learnings to the entire membership of AMGA.

"ICQV conducted extensive due diligence and we believe our decision is the best one for our mutual members," said Lee Sacks, M.D., former chair of the ICQV Board of Directors and CEO of Advocate Physician Partners. "AMGA shares our commitment to clinical integration, quality, and value and is the nation's leading advocate for the multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care. We feel strongly that AMGA is the organization best positioned to lead the movement toward clinical integration into the future. I strongly encourage other physician organizations to join AMGA to strengthen the voice for clinical quality and value nationally. Participation is the key to success."