HEalth care Rewards to Achieve Improved OutcomES (HEROES)
ID: ARPA-H-SOL-24-01Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTHNIH ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH (ARPA-H)Bethesda, MD, 208920004, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

HEALTH R&D SERVICES; HEALTH CARE SERVICES; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AN13)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health's Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), is soliciting proposals for the HEalth care Rewards to Achieve Improved OutcomES (HEROES) program, aimed at enhancing community health outcomes via innovative, community-based interventions. This initiative seeks to implement a payment model that incentivizes positive health outcomes across four critical areas: maternal health, heart attack and stroke risk, opioid overdose, and alcohol-related health harms, particularly in underserved populations. The program is significant as it aims to address health disparities and improve public health metrics while reducing the overall healthcare burden. With a total funding amount of $99 million available over three years, interested parties must submit their Solution Summaries by the specified deadlines, with full proposals due in November 2024. For further inquiries, proposers can access the ARPA-H Ask-A-Question platform for technical or administrative questions.

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    The HEROES Program Solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-24-01) seeks proposals to enhance public health outcomes through community-based interventions and an innovative payment model. The program offers funding totaling $99 million over three years, targeting specific health metrics: maternal health, heart attack and stroke risk, opioid overdose, and alcohol-related health harms. Proposers are encouraged to focus on areas with performance below national averages, and their solutions should engage a diverse range of stakeholders. Key components of the solicitation include flexible strategies for intervention, a robust data strategy utilizing the HEROES Outcome Toolkit, and a reward payment system based on achieving health outcome targets. Health Accelerators, the main participants, will have opportunities for significant funding while working collaboratively with ARPA-H and community partners. The solicitation includes strict evaluation criteria and milestones, requiring periodic assessments to track performance and improvements in targeted health outcomes. Ultimately, the HEROES program aims to create a scalable, sustainable model for enhancing public health and achieving domestic health equity, while generating significant economic savings for communities.
    The HEROES Program Solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-24-01) focuses on improving public health outcomes through innovative community-based interventions funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This three-year initiative, amended as of September 18, 2024, emphasizes a payment model incentivizing outcomes rather than services rendered. Proposals are solicited for strategies targeting four specific health outcomes: maternal health, heart attack and stroke risks, opioid overdose, and alcohol-related health harms, particularly in geographically underserved populations. The program anticipates awarding $99 million in total funding, with a desire for multiple awards to Health Accelerators (HAs) that demonstrate measurable improvements. The selection process requires proposals to use the HEROES Outcome Toolkit and seek collaborations with Outcome Buyers to match funding. The solicitation outlines a structured evaluation of proposal submissions, emphasizing measurable outcomes, with a reward payment structure contingent on achieving targeted health improvements. Ultimately, the HEROES program aims to generate scalable models for preventive health interventions by addressing systemic issues within the current U.S. healthcare framework, showcasing potential savings in societal costs while enhancing community health outcomes.
    The HEROES Program Solicitation, ARPA-H-SOL-24-01, initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), seeks proposals for innovative healthcare interventions aimed at improving health outcomes in specific communities. The program focuses on four key health issues: maternal health, heart attack and stroke risk, opioid overdoses, and alcohol-related health harms. A total of $99 million is allocated for multiple awards over three years, utilizing outcome-based financing models to incentivize positive health improvements. Successful Health Accelerators (HAs) will receive rewards based on measurable outcomes, supported by partnerships with Outcome Buyers, such as governments and health organizations. Proposals must demonstrate strong regional impact, financial sustainability, and adherence to specific performance metrics. The solicitation highlights the need for data-driven approaches and effective community engagement, aiming to reshape healthcare through novel solutions and reduce healthcare costs significantly. By leveraging innovative technologies and collaboration, the HEROES program aims to address public health disparities and ultimately enhance the wellbeing of millions of Americans.
    The HEROES Program Solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-24-01) aims to enhance community health outcomes through innovative interventions incentivized by a payment model. Managed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the program encourages public health organizations to develop regionally focused, outcomes-based strategies to address health disparities affecting specific populations. With a budget of $99 million over three years, the HEROES program seeks to fund multiple awards that promote improvements in four primary health outcomes: maternal health, heart attack and stroke risk, opioid overdose, and alcohol-related health harms. The solicitation outlines a timeline for proposal submission, with significant deadlines from the Proposer’s Day in February 2024 to the proposal due date in November 2024. The program emphasizes collaboration among various stakeholders, including Health Accelerators and Outcome Buyers, to ensure sustainable health solutions. Proposals must demonstrate measurable outcomes supported by data, and funding is structured to reward organizations based on success in achieving health improvement targets. In this context, the HEROES initiative presents a transformative approach to public health funding, focusing on actionable results and long-term community health enhancement.
    The ARPA-H HEROES Program Solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-24-01) invites proposals aimed at innovative health outcome improvements. Proposers must submit a Solution Summary before a full proposal, adhering to formatting specifications and page limits. Each summary should address a specific health outcome category and geographic area, and cannot exceed 8 pages. The document outlines the required sections for the Solution Summary, including: 1. **Project Concept Summary** - Describes the project's innovative approach to addressing the chosen health outcome, baseline performance, and unique solutions. 2. **Team Organization and Capabilities** - Details the project team's structure and expertise. 3. **Proposed Work** - Explores strategies to enhance health outcomes, methodologies, evidence bases, and potential risks associated with the project. 4. **Outcome Buyers** - Lists engaged stakeholders and outlines their preparedness for collaboration. 5. **Implementation Estimate & Capital** - Provides a cost estimate and financing status for the proposed project. Each section aims to clearly define objectives, team qualifications, methodologies, and anticipated results. The goal is to innovate health interventions that extend beyond existing capabilities, focusing on comprehensive population health improvements within designated areas.
    The HEROES Program, last updated on April 17, 2024, aims to establish Health Accelerators to improve health outcomes through partnerships among various organizations, including academic institutions, non-profits, and private entities. Eligibility is broad, although Federally Funded Research and Development Centers cannot act as primary performers. The program encourages collaborations but restricts each award to a single Health Accelerator. HEROES aims for a 2:1 match from Outcome Buyers and emphasizes the importance of achieving measurable health outcomes within a three-year performance period. The program anticipates that Outcome Buyer funding may continue beyond this period, creating sustainable markets for health interventions. Key expected outcomes include reductions in maternal health complications and cardiovascular disease risk, among others, with funding linked to demonstrated performance through the HEROES Outcome Toolkit. The control groups for measuring performance will be based on national trends adjusted by demographics, and data will be closely monitored for timely performance assessments. The final solicitation is expected to be posted in April 2024, followed by a program performance period beginning in early 2025. Proposer’s Day will occur in February, facilitating networking among interested parties. A teaming webpage has been established to support collaboration and submissions of Letters of Interest are encouraged to gauge program involvement.
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