For purposes of activities conducted under this chapter, the Secretary shall identify and have in effect a contract with a consensus-based entity, such as the National Quality Forum, that meets the requirements described in subsection (c). Such contract shall provide that the entity will perform the duties described in subsection (b).
As soon as practicable after July 15, 2008, the Secretary shall enter into the first contract under paragraph (1).
A contract under paragraph (1) shall be for a period of 4 years (except as may be renewed after a subsequent bidding process).
Competitive procedures (as defined in section 132 of title 41) shall be used to enter into a contract under paragraph (1).
The duties described in this subsection are the following:
The entity shall synthesize evidence and convene key stakeholders to make recommendations, with respect to activities conducted under this chapter, on an integrated national strategy and priorities for health care performance measurement in all applicable settings. In making such recommendations, the entity shall-
The entity shall provide for the endorsement of standardized health care performance measures. The endorsement process under the preceding sentence shall consider whether a measure-
The entity shall establish and implement a process to ensure that measures endorsed under paragraph (2) are updated (or retired if obsolete) as new evidence is developed.
The entity may provide input to the Secretary on quality and efficiency measures described in paragraph (7)(B) that could be considered for removal.
By not later than March 1 of each year (beginning with 2009), the entity shall submit to Congress and the Secretary a report containing the following:
Not later than 6 months after receiving a report under subparagraph (A) for a year, the Secretary shall-
The entity shall provide for the review and, as appropriate, the endorsement of the episode grouper developed by the Secretary under section 1395w-4(n)(9)(A) of this title. Such review shall be conducted on an expedited basis.
The entity shall convene multi-stakeholder groups to provide input on-
Subject to clause (ii), the quality and efficiency measures described in this subparagraph are quality and efficiency measures-
Data sets (such as the outcome and assessment information set for home health services and the minimum data set for skilled nursing facility services) that are used for purposes of classification systems used in establishing payment rates under this subchapter shall not be quality and efficiency measures described in this subparagraph.
In convening multi-stakeholder groups under subparagraph (A) with respect to the selection of quality and efficiency measures, the entity shall provide for an open and transparent process for the activities conducted pursuant to such convening.
The process described in clause (i) shall ensure that the selection of representatives comprising such groups provides for public nominations for, and the opportunity for public comment on, such selection.
In this paragraph, the term "multi-stakeholder group" means, with respect to a quality and efficiency measure, a voluntary collaborative of organizations representing a broad group of stakeholders interested in or affected by the use of such quality and efficiency measure.
Not later than February 1 of each year (beginning with 2012), the entity shall transmit to the Secretary the input of multi-stakeholder groups provided under paragraph (7).
The Secretary-
The requirements described in this subsection are the following:
The entity is a private nonprofit entity governed by a board.
The members of the board of the entity include-
The membership of the entity includes persons who have experience with-
With respect to matters related to the contract with the Secretary under subsection (a), the entity conducts its business in an open and transparent manner and provides the opportunity for public comment on its activities.
The entity operates as a voluntary consensus standards setting organization as defined for purposes of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-113) and Office of Management and Budget Revised Circular A-119 (published in the Federal Register on February 10, 1998).
The entity has at least 4 years of experience in establishing national consensus standards.
If the entity requires a membership fee for participation in the functions of the entity, such fees shall be reasonable and adjusted based on the capacity of the potential member to pay the fee. In no case shall membership fees pose a barrier to the participation of individuals or groups with low or nominal resources to participate in the functions of the entity.
By not later than March 1 of each year (beginning with 2019), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the following:
Each of the annual reports submitted in 2021 and 2022 pursuant to paragraph (1) shall also include the following:
In the case of an annual report submitted in 2021 or a subsequent year pursuant to paragraph (1), the information required under-
The activities described in this clause are the following:
By not later than September 30 of each year (beginning with 2021), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the amount of unobligated balances for appropriations relating to quality measurement. Such report shall include detailed plans on how the Secretary expects to expend such unobligated balances in the upcoming fiscal years.
The annual report required under paragraph (1) shall be separate from the annual report required under subsection (e).
1 See 2018 Amendment note below.
2 So in original. Probably should be "panels)."
3 See References in Text note below.
42 U.S.C. § 1395aaa
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTClause (iii) of section 1395rr(h)(2)(A) of this title, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(B)(i)(I), was redesignated clause (iv) by Pub. L. 113-93, title II, §217(d)(1)(B), Apr. 1, 2014, 128 Stat. 1062.Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, referred to in subsec. (c)(5), is section 12(d) of Pub. L. 104-113 which is set out as a note under section 272 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
CODIFICATIONIn subsec. (a)(4), "section 132 of title 41" substituted for "section 4(5) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403(5))" on authority of Pub. L. 111-350, §6(c), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 1395aaa, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, §1890, as added Aug. 18, 1987, Pub. L. 100-93, §10, 101 Stat . 696, which related to limitation of liability of beneficiaries with respect to services furnished by excluded individuals and entities, was amended and transferred to section 1862(e)(2) of act Aug. 14, 1935, by Pub. L. 100-360, title IV, §411(i)(4)(D) (ii), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 790, as amended by Pub. L. 100-485, title VI, §608(d) (24)(C)(ii), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2421, and is classified to section 1395y(e)(2) of this title.
AMENDMENTS2024-Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 118-42 substituted "$20,000,000" for "and $20,000,000" and inserted ", and $9,000,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2023, and ending on December 31, 2024" before period at end in first sentence and substituted "2023, and 2024 and the period beginning on October 1, 2024, and ending on December 31, 2024" for "and 2023" in last sentence.2020-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(c), added par. (4).Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(d), added par. (9).Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(a), substituted "$26,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2023" for "and for the period beginning on October 1, 2020, and ending on December 18, 2020, the amount equal to the pro rata portion of the amount appropriated for such period for fiscal year 2020" in first sentence and "2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023" for "and 2020, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2020, and ending on December 18, 2020" in last sentence. Pub. L. 116-215 substituted "December 18, 2020" for "December 11, 2020" in two places. Pub. L. 116-159 substituted "December 11, 2020" for "November 30, 2020" in two places. Pub. L. 116-136, §3802, substituted "$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2020, and ending on November 30, 2020, the amount equal to the pro rata portion of the amount appropriated for such period for fiscal year 2020" for "and $4,830,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on May 22, 2020" in first sentence and ", 2019, and 2020, and for the period beginning on October 1, 2020, and ending on November 30, 2020," for "and 2019 and for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on May 22, 2020" in last sentence.Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(1)(A), (B), (G), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, redesignated former pars. (1) to (6) as subpars. (A) to (F), respectively, of par. (1), and added par. (2).Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(1)(C), struck out at end "In years after the first plan under this paragraph is submitted, the requirements of this paragraph may be met by providing an update to the plan." Subsec. (e)(1)(D). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(1)(D), substituted "Subject to paragraph (2)(B), a description" for "A description". Subsec. (e)(1)(E). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(1)(E), substituted "Subject to paragraph (2)(B), the amount" for "The amount". Subsec. (e)(1)(F). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(1)(F), substituted "Subject to paragraph (2)(B), estimates" for "Estimates". Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116-260, §102(b)(2), added subsec. (f).2019-Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 116-94 substituted "$4,830,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on May 22, 2020" for "$1,665,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on December 20, 2019" in first sentence and "May 22, 2020" for "December 20, 2019," in last sentence. Pub. L. 116-69 substituted "$1,665,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on December 20, 2019" for "$1,069,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on November 21, 2019" in first sentence and "December 20, 2019" for "November 21, 2019" in last sentence. Pub. L. 116-59 substituted "$7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and $1,069,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on November 21, 2019" for "and $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019" in first sentence and inserted "and for the period beginning on October 1, 2019, and ending on November 21, 2019," after "2018 and 2019" in last sentence. 2018-Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 115-123, §50206(c)(1), substituted "containing the following:" for "containing a description of-" in introductory provisions, inserted "(i) A description of-", redesignated former cls. (i) to (vi) as subcls. (I) to (VI), respectively, of cl. (i), realigned margins, and added cls. (ii) and (iii). Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 115-123, §50206(a), substituted "2014," for "2014 and" and inserted ", and $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019" after "through 2017" and "Amounts transferred for each of fiscal years 2018 and 2019 shall be in addition to any unobligated funds transferred for a preceding fiscal year that are available under the preceding sentence." after "until expended." Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115-123, §50206(b), added subsec. (e). 2015-Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 114-10 substituted "and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017" for "and $15,000,000 for the first 6 months of fiscal year 2015". 2014-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113-93 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). 2013-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 112-240, §609(a)(2), struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: "The entity shall promote the development and use of electronic health records that contain the functionality for automated collection, aggregation, and transmission of performance measurement information."Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113-67 inserted at end "Amounts transferred under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended." Pub. L. 112-240, §609(a)(1), substituted "fiscal years 2009 through 2013" for "fiscal years 2009 through 2012". 2010-Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(iv) to (vi). Pub. L. 111-148, §3014(a)(2), added cls. (iv) to (vi). Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 111-148, §3003(b), added par. (6).Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 111-148, §10304, substituted "quality and efficiency" for "quality" wherever appearing in text. Pub. L. 111-148, §3014(a)(1), added par. (7).Subsec. (b)(7)(B). Pub. L. 111-148, §10304, which directed substitution of "quality and efficiency" for "quality" wherever appearing, was executed by substituting "Quality and efficiency" for "Quality" in subpar. heading to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Subsec. (b)(7)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 111-148, §10322(b), inserted "1395ww(s)(4)(D)," after "1395ww(o)(2),".Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 111-148, §3014(a)(1), added par. (8).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2020 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 116-136, div. A, title III, §3802(b), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 427, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94)."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2019 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 116-94, div. N, title I, §102(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3096, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-69)." Pub. L. 116-69, div. B, title IV, §1401(b), Nov. 21, 2019, 133 Stat. 1138, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-59)."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2018 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 115-123, div. E, title II, §50206(c)(2), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 185, provided that: "The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to reports submitted for years beginning with 2019."
- Secretary
- the term "Secretary" means- (A) the Secretary of Education for purposes of subtitle A (other than section 3201),(B) the Secretary of Agriculture for purposes of the amendments made by section 3201, and(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for purposes of subtitle B,