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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 490 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 490

Recognizing the measurable, positive impact that the National Committee 
 for Quality Assurance has made on the quality of care patients in the 
United States have received during the 20 years since the formation of 
                           the organization.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 19, 2010

 Mr. Whitehouse submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                   to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Recognizing the measurable, positive impact that the National Committee 
 for Quality Assurance has made on the quality of care patients in the 
United States have received during the 20 years since the formation of 
                           the organization.

Whereas the National Committee for Quality Assurance (referred to in this 
        preamble as the ``NCQA'') was formed in February of 1990 and is a 
        nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation based in the District of Columbia;
Whereas the mission of NCQA is to ``Improve the Quality of Health Care'';
Whereas the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) of NCQA is 
        the most widely used set of clinical quality measures in the United 
        States, covering more than 116,000,000 people in the United States;
Whereas more than 70 percent of people in the United States enrolled in a health 
        insurance plan are covered by the Health Plan Accreditation protections 
        of NCQA;
Whereas the health plan standards of NCQA have been used as a model for 
        Medicare, Medicaid, and more than 40 State insurance systems;
Whereas more than 15,000 practicing physicians have been recognized by NCQA for 
        excellent clinical performance in such areas as diabetes, heart and 
        stroke, and back pain treatment;
Whereas more than 400 medical practices across the United States have been 
        recognized by NCQA as meeting the requirements of a patient-centered 
        medical home;
Whereas more than 1,000,000 people in the United States use the Health Plan 
        Report Card, published by NCQA, to choose a health insurance plan that 
        best meets the needs of themselves and their families;
Whereas performance measurement by NCQA has improved care for diabetes, heart 
        disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, saving 165,000 to 
        272,000 lives; and
Whereas the staff of NCQA, over 200 health care experts, are dedicated to 
        improving the quality of care for the people of the United States 
        through performance measurement and accountability: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes--
            (1) the measurable, positive impact that the National 
        Committee for Quality Assurance has made on the quality of care 
        patients in the United States have received during the 20 years 
        since the formation of the organization; and
            (2) the importance of the continuing mission of the 
        National Committee for Quality Assurance to save lives by 
        ensuring health care providers and plans are accountable for 
        delivering appropriate, safe, and quality care.
                                 <all>
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