124 STAT. 325 PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010 to examine any changes in health care quality outcomes and spending by the eligible safety net hospital systems or networks. (2) BUDGET NEUTRALITY.—During the testing period under paragraph (1), any budget neutrality requirements under sec- tion 1115A(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (as so added) shall not be applicable. (3) MODIFICATION.—During the testing period under para- graph (1), the Secretary may, in the Secretary’s discretion, modify or terminate the demonstration project conducted under this section. (e) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date of comple- tion of the demonstration project under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the evaluation and testing conducted under subsection (d), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate. (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. SEC. 2706. PEDIATRIC ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATION DEM- ONSTRATION PROJECT. (a) AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT DEMONSTRATION.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall establish the Pediatric Accountable Care Organization Dem- onstration Project to authorize a participating State to allow pediatric medical providers that meet specified requirements to be recognized as an accountable care organization for pur- poses of receiving incentive payments (as described under sub- section (d)), in the same manner as an accountable care organization is recognized and provided with incentive pay- ments under section 1899 of the Social Security Act (as added by section 3022). (2) DURATION.—The demonstration project shall begin on January 1, 2012, and shall end on December 31, 2016. (b) APPLICATION.—A State that desires to participate in the demonstration project under this section shall submit to the Sec- retary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) REQUIREMENTS.— (1) PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES.—The Secretary, in consulta- tion with the States and pediatric providers, shall establish guidelines to ensure that the quality of care delivered to individ- uals by a provider recognized as an accountable care organiza- tion under this section is not less than the quality of care that would have otherwise been provided to such individuals. (2) SAVINGS REQUIREMENT.—A participating State, in con- sultation with the Secretary, shall establish an annual minimal level of savings in expenditures for items and services covered under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act and the CHIP program under title XXI of such Act that must be reached by an accountable care organization in order for such organization to receive an incentive payment under subsection (d). (3) MINIMUM PARTICIPATION PERIOD.—A provider desiring to be recognized as an accountable care organization under Contracts. 42 USC 1396a note.
