SEC. 1441. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.

Title XI of the Social Security Act, as amended by section 1401[a], is further amended by adding at the end the following new part:

'Part E--Quality Improvement

'ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

'Sec. 1191. [a] ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PRIORITIES BY THE SECRETARY- The Secretary shall establish and periodically update, not less frequently than triennially, national priorities for performance improvement.

'[b] Recommendations for National Priorities- In establishing and updating national priorities under subsection [a], the Secretary shall solicit and consider recommendations from multiple outside stakeholders.

'[c] Considerations in Setting National Priorities- With respect to such priorities, the Secretary shall ensure that priority is given to areas in the delivery of health care services in the United States that--

'[1] contribute to a large burden of disease, including those that address the health care provided to patients with prevalent, high-cost chronic diseases;

'[2] have the greatest potential to decrease morbidity and mortality in this country, including those that are designed to eliminate harm to patients;

'[3] have the greatest potential for improving the performance, affordability, and patient-centeredness of health care, including those due to variations in care;

'[4] address health disparities across groups and areas; and

'[5] have the potential for rapid improvement due to existing evidence, standards of care or other reasons.

'[d] Definitions- In this part:

'[1] CONSENSUS-BASED ENTITY- The term 'consensus-based entity' means an entity with a contract with the Secretary under section 1890.

'[2] QUALITY MEASURE- The term 'quality measure' means a national consensus standard for measuring the performance and improvement of population health, or of institutional providers of services, physicians, and other health care practitioners in the delivery of health care services.

'[e] Funding-

'[1] IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide for the transfer, from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 1817 and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under section 1841 [in such proportion as the Secretary determines appropriate], of $2,000,000, for the activities under this section for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

'[2] AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, in addition to funds otherwise available, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary of Health and Human Services $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.'.