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Dear Representative Chu,
The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) endorses H.R.3031, which would reauthorize the National Quality Forum (NQF) through 2024 at $30 million annually. For 20 years, the NQF has played a critical role in promoting and ensuring quality care though health assessment and public reporting. We believe it is essential that NQF continue in this role.
AACC is a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to clinical laboratory science and its application to healthcare. AACC brings together more than 50,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of clinical laboratory science to advance healthcare through collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation.
Currently, 20 federal health programs utilize nearly 300 NQF-endorsed measures to assess whether patients are receiving appropriate, evidence-based care. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the use of these measures reduced the number of adverse events in in hospitals by 21 percent during 2010-2015, saving 125,000 lives and $28 billion in healthcare costs. With the enactment of H.R.3031, NQF will be able to continue to advance quality, cost-effective care for our patients.
We look forward to working with you on this most important issue. If you have any questions, please email Vince Stine, PhD, AACC’s Senior Director of Government and Global Affairs, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Carmen L. Wiley, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
President, AACC