HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-9 October 2008-NCQA: Health Care Quality Is Up, but Varies Across the Country(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

The quality of health care for millions of Americans improved in 2007 but significant variations in performance continue to leave many people

And while quality improved for most people in private health insurance plans, there was little improvement in the care delivered to those enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, the nation's two largest public health care programs. Eliminating variations in the delivery of evidence-based care across the health care system could save up to 88,000 lives each year, the report concludes.

Each year, NCQA examines the state of health care quality through data submitted by health plans across the country. In 2008, a record 845 health plans reported on their performance covering 106 million Americans--a 29 percent increase over 2007. These data paint a picture of the American health care system that highlights where it is performing well and where it needs improvement. The report is issued as the U.S. is poised to debate comprehensive health care reform as promised by the two major party candidates for President.

"True health care reform must address the gaps and inconsistencies in quality that deny millions of people the care they deserve," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "A comprehensive assessment of quality is the first step in strategically addressing reform."

NCQA uses data from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, or HEDIS, a set of measures that assess how often patients receive care that conforms to evidence-based guidelines. HEDIS measures assess a spectrum of care ranging from prevention to chronic disease management including immunizations, cancer screenings, advice to quit smoking, blood pressure control and medication management.

More Information:http://www.ncqa.org/sohc

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