[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 55 (Monday, April 19, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 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

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 490

       Whereas the National Committee for Quality Assurance 
     (referred to in this preamble as the ``NCQA'') was formed in 
     February of 1990 and is a non-profit 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.

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