Section 10303

SEC. 10303. DEVELOPMENT OF OUTCOME MEASURES.

[a] Development- Section 931 of the Public Health Service Act, as added by section 3013[a], is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

'[f] Development of Outcome Measures-

'[1] IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall develop, and periodically update [not less than every 3 years], provider-level outcome measures for hospitals and physicians, as well as other providers as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

'[2] CATEGORIES OF MEASURES- The measures developed under this subsection shall include, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary--

'[A] outcome measurement for acute and chronic diseases, including, to the extent feasible, the 5 most prevalent and resource-intensive acute and chronic medical conditions; and

'[B] outcome measurement for primary and preventative care, including, to the extent feasible, measurements that cover provision of such care for distinct patient populations [such as healthy children, chronically ill adults, or infirm elderly individuals].

'[3] GOALS- In developing such measures, the Secretary shall seek to--

'[A] address issues regarding risk adjustment, accountability, and sample size;

'[B] include the full scope of services that comprise a cycle of care; and

'[C] include multiple dimensions.

'[4] TIMEFRAME-

'[A] ACUTE AND CHRONIC DISEASES- Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop not less than 10 measures described in paragraph [2][A].

'[B] PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE CARE- Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop not less than 10 measures described in paragraph [2][B].'.

[b] Hospital-acquired Conditions- Section 1890A of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 3013[b], is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

'[f] Hospital Acquired Conditions- The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, publicly report on measures for hospital-acquired conditions that are currently utilized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the adjustment of the amount of payment to hospitals based on rates of hospital-acquired infections.'.

[c] Clinical Practice Guidelines- Section 304[b] of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 [Public Law 110-275] is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

'[4] IDENTIFICATION-

'[A] IN GENERAL- Following receipt of the report submitted under paragraph [2], and not less than every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall contract with the Institute to employ the results of the study performed under paragraph [1] and the best methods identified by the Institute for the purpose of identifying existing and new clinical practice guidelines that were developed using such best methods, including guidelines listed in the National Guideline Clearinghouse.

'[B] CONSULTATION- In carrying out the identification process under subparagraph [A], the Secretary shall allow for consultation with professional societies, voluntary health care organizations, and expert panels.'.