The document discusses the Obama administration's initiative to transition Medicare payments away from traditional fee-for-service models and toward alternative payment models that make providers financially responsible for quality outcomes. It argues that this transition is important for bending the health care cost curve in a politically acceptable way. The author then outlines several key success factors for providers to successfully transition to alternative payment models based on their 25 years of experience, including the robust use of accurate data, a willingness to review medical records to ensure data integrity, an ongoing commitment to changing practice patterns, and understanding how to effectively communicate the need for change to both practitioners and organizational leaders who fund health care.