On Thursday, July 16, Milwaukee hosted the 2026 Midwest Regional Meeting of the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations (NAACOS), welcoming representatives from more than 14 health systems across six midwest states to discuss value-based care at the Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Water Tower Medical Commons facility in Milwaukee. At the heart of this collaboration is a simple, powerful goal: prioritizing patients. Value-based care represents a shift toward high-quality, coordinated care that focuses on reducing healthcare costs while simultaneously improving the quality of every patient interaction.
The day's narrative was one of inspiration and forward-thinking. Leadership teams from NAACOS, including Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Aisha Pittman, provided deep dives into new policy developments and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) models that are paving the way for more sustainable healthcare.
Another featured discussion brought together Dr. Mushir Hassan, Chief Medical Officer of Network Health Plan, and Ryan Mackman, Director of Population Health for Ascension Wisconsin, to explore payer and provider perspectives on the future of value-based care and how organizations can navigate financial risk together amid growing market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and increasing performance expectations.
"Value-based care is, to me, one of the best ways for everyone to succeed together as a team,” said Ryan Mackman, Director of Population Health, Ascension Wisconsin. “So many stakeholders are invested in advancing value-based care, ultimately lowering the cost of care, improving the patient experience, enhancing healthcare quality, and rewarding clinicians for the outcomes they achieve, rather than the volume of services they provide.”
Ascension's Vice President of Value-Based Performance and Population Health, Craig Carroll, joined Dr. Brian Silverstein, Chief Population Health Officer at Innovaccer, to discuss choosing between MSSP and LEAD, the evolving risk adjustment landscape, and how provider organizations can best prepare for CMS' new ACCESS model.
Through collaborative workshops, the group tackled the complex challenges of modern medicine, from strengthening communication between community care partners to reducing hospital readmissions. This collective effort is aimed at creating a seamless, supportive experience for patients with complex medical needs, ensuring they receive the right care at the right time.
This regional meeting was a testament to the power of partnership, and Ascension Wisconsin is dedicated to advancing value-based care and shaping the future of medicine—one where improved health outcomes, enhanced patient experiences, and lower costs are the standard for everyone.
Learn more about Ascension Wisconsin’s ACOs.
