Final answer:
The Inpatient Hospital VBP program was authorized by Congress as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, aimed at improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authorization of Inpatient Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) is tied to the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which was signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. This program is part of a broader initiative aimed at improving health care quality and patient outcomes while controlling costs. The VBP program adjusts payments to hospitals based on the quality of care they provide rather than just the quantity of services they offer. This involves measures such as patient satisfaction, adherence to clinical standards of care, and hospital readmission rates.
The Affordable Care Act marks a significant pivot towards value-based care from the traditional fee-for-service approach. Its passing after extended debates and legislative maneuvering in Congress represented a substantial overhaul of the U.S. health care system. The VBP program addresses the need for healthcare reform, accountability, and higher quality in hospital settings.