UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services want to tie their payments to hospitals to the hospital's performance - and local hospitals are all for it.

It's an incentive for hospitals to do all they can to cut down on infections that patients acquire during their hospital stays and a way to tie payments, to performance.

Doctors at St. Elizabeth Medical Center say it's great incentive to continue to keep a lid on the spread of infection.

"The payers have decided, and I think most hospitals agree, with the concept to have this link between the outcomes of care and reimbursement for care," said Albert D'Accurzio of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. "So it provides more stimulus for hospitals to do a better job and continue to improve their services."

The federal program is already in effect, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield officials.