WASHINGTON D.C., June 15-- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) announced today that the University of Pennsylvania will receive $9,202,760 for healthcare innovation programs under the Affordable Care Act that are expected to generate an estimated $12.2 million in cost care savings over the next three years and improve outcomes for patients.

The Healthcare Innovation Awards were announced by U.S. Secretary for Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius as part of an HHS program to save the healthcare system an estimated $1.9 billion nationwide over three years.

Penn is receiving $4,841,221 for a new approach to help coronary artery disease patients stay on their medications after discharge in metropolitan Philadelphia and nearby New Jersey communities. Such patients have a poor record of staying on their meds, incurring costly readmissions and monitoring efforts. The Penn program is expected to save almost $2.8 million in follow-up costs. More importantly, this program has the potential to significantly improve the quality of experience for the patients involved.

Penn is also receiving $4,361,539 to test a comprehensive set of home care services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries with advanced cancer in the Philadelphia area. This innovative program is expected to generate $9.4 million in savings over three years. These patients, most of whom are confronting terrible circumstances, will see improved quality of life.

“The President’s Affordable Care Act continues to provide real healthcare benefits to tens of millions of Americans as its provisions go into effect, and in turn the Act is accounting for tens of billions in savings and cost-controls across the healthcare system,” Fattah said. “Americans are experiencing a revolution in healthcare, preventive measures and cost-containment.”

Fattah, a senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, was an early leader in Congress for enactment of President Obama’s healthcare reform program.