III 

★(Star Print)

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 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

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 


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SRES 490 IS1S 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate recognizes— 

2 (1) the measurable, positive impact that the 

3 National Committee for Quality Assurance has made 

4 on the quality of care patients in the United States 


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SRES 490 IS1S 

1 have received during the 20 years since the forma2 tion of the organization; and 

3 (2) the importance of the continuing mission of 

4 the National Committee for Quality Assurance to 

5 save lives by ensuring health care providers and 

6 plans are accountable for delivering appropriate, 

7 safe, and quality care. 

Æ 


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