What steps has the government taken to evaluate the impact of the legislation on health care cost in the U.S.?

The federal government monitors the impact legislation has on health care costs in a variety of manners.  The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been tasked with evaluating, reviewing, collecting data, and working with states to ensure that legislation, particularly the Affordable Care Act, is enacted properly. 

The federal government further evaluates health care data and information provided by clinicians, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that receive federal dollars.  The Physician Quality Reporting...

The federal government monitors the impact legislation has on health care costs in a variety of manners.  The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been tasked with evaluating, reviewing, collecting data, and working with states to ensure that legislation, particularly the Affordable Care Act, is enacted properly. 

The federal government further evaluates health care data and information provided by clinicians, hospitals and other healthcare organizations that receive federal dollars.  The Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) is an example of a reporting method.  Physicians report to the government on predetermined key indicators.  Physicians must meet the standards established by the government.  By doing so, the providers then receive payment accordingly.  This is otherwise referred to as pay for performance.

Hospitals also report to CMS various measures, which are called core measures. Hospitals then receive incentive payments based on their abilities to meet the standards established by the government. 

The government further monitors legislation through health care costs by working with states on determining payment systems through the managed care programs in the respective states.