Rob Houston, MBA, MPP

Rob Houston, MBA, MPP, is the director of delivery system and payment reform at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, he oversees CHCS’ work on projects involving the design and implementation of population-based payment (PBP), value-based payment (VBP), and delivery system reforms, including accountable care organizations (ACOs) and models to improve rural health. During his time at CHCS, Rob has provided technical assistance on issues related to delivery system and payment reform to more than 35 state Medicaid agencies, and many provider organizations, health plans, and community-based organizations. Rob has also authored numerous publications related to PBP, VBP, and ACO development.

Previously, Rob worked as senior director of ACO network and value-based payment for the NYC Health + Hospitals ACO, and provided consulting support to Robert Wood Johnson Partners and the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy on issues pertaining to ACO development.

Rob holds a master’s degree in public policy with a concentration in health policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, as well as a master of business administration degree in marketing from Rutgers Business School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University – New Brunswick.

Outside of CHCS, Rob enjoys spending time with family, friends, and dogs; a good conversation or debate; and being outdoors in or near mountains or forests.

Authored Resources

Launching Rural Health Transformation Plans: Lessons from Other Large-Scale State Initiatives

Exercising Self-Governance Through an Indian Managed Care Entity: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Option

Realigning Primary Care Incentives in Medicaid: Six Design Choices for States Pursuing Population-Based Payment

Developing Primary Care Population-Based Payment Models in Medicaid: A Primer For States

Incorporating Community-Based Organizations in Medicaid Efforts to Address Health-Related Social Needs: Key State Considerations

Implementation Guide for the California Federally Qualified Health Center Alternative Payment Model

Health Affairs Blog | Leveraging Primary Care Population-Based Payments in Medicaid to Advance Health Equity

Medicaid Population-Based Payment: The Current Landscape, Early Insights, and Considerations for Policymakers

The Doctor Will Hear You Now: Audio-Only Telehealth and the Promise of Access, Equity, and Engagement in Medicaid

Addressing Adolescent Health Care and Well-Being Through Financial Incentives

They’re Not Just “Little Adults” ― Value-Based Payment Models that Include Children Must Focus on Their Needs

Value-Based Payment to Support Children’s Health and Wellness: Shifting the Focus from Short-Term to Life Course Impact

Medicaid and Housing Partnerships: A Resource for Local Health Departments

Putting Primary Care First: Factors Influencing State Medicaid Agency Participation in Federal Primary Care Models

Moving Toward Value-Based Payment in Oral Health Care

SMD Letter Reaffirms CMS’ Commitment to Value-Based Care and Raises New Questions

How Health Centers Can Improve Patient Care Through Value-Based Payment Models

Leveraging Prospective Payments to Address Provider Financial Shortfalls: The Role of Managed Care Organizations

OneCare Vermont’s Response to COVID-19: Supporting Telehealth Ramp-Up via Prospective Payments

Addressing Provider Viability: The Case for Prospective Payments during COVID-19

Accelerating Value-Based Payment in California's Federally Qualified Health Centers: Options for Medicaid Health Plans

Refining Oregon’s Medicaid Transformation Strategy through CCO 2.O: A Q&A with the Oregon Health Authority

The Medicare Shared Savings Program Final Rule: Implications for Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations

We Need More Data on Medicaid ACOs to Determine Drivers of Success

Vermont’s Next Generation ACO Program Breaks New Ground in Medicaid

Mapping Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Progress

Maintaining the Momentum: Using Value-Based Payments to Sustain Provider Innovations

Program Design Considerations for Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations

An Overview of Emerging State Health Care Purchasing Trends

Health Affairs Blog | How Funders Can Support Emerging Accountable Care Organizations To Maximize Their Potential

Accountable Care Organizations: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Navigating the New York State Value-Based Payment Roadmap

Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Programs: State Profiles

How Can States Help ACO Providers Avoid Data Overload?

Approaching the Tipping Point? Medicaid ACO Momentum Continues to Build

Exploring the Feasibility of Including Medicare-Medicaid Enrollees in Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations

State Payment and Financing Models to Promote Health and Social Service Integration

Supporting Social Service Delivery through Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations: Early State Efforts

Five Strategies to Boost Safety Net Participation in Medicaid ACOs

Advancing Delivery and Payment Reform in Managed Care Provider Networks: Tools for State Purchasers

Global Payments: A Key Step toward Totally Accountable Care

Aligning Approaches to Accountable Care Across Medicare and Medicaid

The Balancing Act: Integrating Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations into a Managed Care Environment

The Balancing Act: Integrating Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations into a Managed Care Environment

The New Jersey Medicaid Accountable Care Organization Business Planning Toolkit

Adapting the Medicare Shared Savings Program to Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations