Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5076-5080)
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 4, 2009
National Health Care Quality Act - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of National Health Care Quality Improvement, headed by a Director of National Health Care Quality. Sets forth the duties of the Director, including: (1) advising the President on the quality of health care in the United States; (2) determining national priorities for improving health care quality; (3) establishing annual benchmarks for federal agencies to achieve national priorities for health care quality improvement; (4) developing an annual report card on the nation's health; and (5) posting on a website public information relating to national priorities for health care quality improvement and other information relating to health care quality. Establishes within the Office the Quality Interagency Coordinating Council to coordinate health care quality improvement efforts across all federal agencies.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to: (1) make the position of Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality a presidential appointment; and (2) require the Agency to incorporate health care quality improvement priorities into research conducted under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), apply health care quality measures to HHS health programs, and conduct a public education campaign to educate health care providers and consumers about health care quality improvement. Establishes a National Quality Resource Center to assist health care providers in understanding and implementing health care quality improvement initiatives.
Requires the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to award National Quality Support Extension grants to support and facilitate local health care quality improvement efforts throughout the United States.
Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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