
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC299b-2]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
       SUBCHAPTER VII--AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY
 
                Part B--Health Care Improvement Research
 
Sec. 299b-2. Information on quality and cost of care


(a) In general

    The Director shall--
        (1) conduct a survey to collect data on a nationally 
    representative sample of the population on the cost, use and, for 
    fiscal year 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, quality of health 
    care, including the types of health care services Americans use, 
    their access to health care services, frequency of use, how much is 
    paid for the services used, the source of those payments, the types 
    and costs of private health insurance, access, satisfaction, and 
    quality of care for the general population including rural residents 
    and also for populations identified in section 299(c) of this title; 
    and
        (2) develop databases and tools that provide information to 
    States on the quality, access, and use of health care services 
    provided to their residents.

(b) Quality and outcomes information

                           (1) In general

        Beginning in fiscal year 2001, the Director shall ensure that 
    the survey conducted under subsection (a)(1) of this section will--
            (A) identify determinants of health outcomes and functional 
        status, including the health care needs of populations 
        identified in section 299(c) of this title, provide data to 
        study the relationships between health care quality, outcomes, 
        access, use, and cost, measure changes over time, and monitor 
        the overall national impact of Federal and State policy changes 
        on health care;
            (B) provide information on the quality of care and patient 
        outcomes for frequently occurring clinical conditions for a 
        nationally representative sample of the population including 
        rural residents; and
            (C) provide reliable national estimates for children and 
        persons with special health care needs through the use of 
        supplements or periodic expansions of the survey.

    In expanding the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, as in existence 
    on December 6, 1999, in fiscal year 2001 to collect information on 
    the quality of care, the Director shall take into account any 
    outcomes measurements generally collected by private sector 
    accreditation organizations.

                          (2) Annual report

        Beginning in fiscal year 2003, the Secretary, acting through the 
    Director, shall submit to Congress an annual report on national 
    trends in the quality of health care provided to the American 
    people.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, Sec. 913, as added Pub. L. 106-129, 
Sec. 2(a), Dec. 6, 1999, 113 Stat. 1658.)

                          Codification

    December 6, 1999, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original 
``the date of the enactment of this title'', which was translated as 
meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106-129, which amended this 
subchapter generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 299b-2, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, 
Sec. 913, as added Pub. L. 101-239, title VI, Sec. 6103(a), Dec. 19, 
1989, 103 Stat. 2193; amended Pub. L. 102-410, Sec. 5(c)(2), (f)(1)(A), 
Oct. 13, 1992, 106 Stat. 2097, 2098, related to development of 
guidelines and standards, prior to the general amendment of this 
subchapter by Pub. L. 106-129.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1320b-12 of this title.
