Is program to reduce hospital readmissions associated with a change in patient deaths?

(JAMA Network) The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) was created under the Affordable Care Act and hospitals face financial penalties for higher-than-expected 30-day readmission rates for patients with heart failure, heart attack and pneumonia. Lower hospital readmission rates for those conditions have been associated with the program but it was unclear if the program was associated with a change in patient deaths.

from EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science http://bit.ly/2QM1HEs