On November 19, 2008, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley released a discussion draft of legislation that would establish a value-based purchasing program for Medicare inpatient hospital care. Under the plan, Medicare payments would be linked to hospital performance — rather than just reporting — on certain quality measures. The initial performance measures focus on treatment of heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care. The budget-neutral plan would be phased in over five years, beginning in FY 2012, with full implementation beginning in FY 2016. Comments on the draft will be accepted through December 15, 2008.