III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 490 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 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

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.