HEALTHGRADES, INC.

HR 3590: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act *Worked to clarify language included in the Senate Amendment 3119 ensuring that public data sets remain open., Specifically, the Managers Package eliminated language that would change or delete the misuse of data definition and communicated that this definition was overly broad and needed to be clarified or removed entirely. *Delivered a letter of endorsement for Senate Amendment 3119 regarding open data. *Requested consideration to make the following data sets available: vEncouraged Congress to ensure that public data streams, such as the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) remain available to private organizations such as HealthGrades. vBroadening the data included in publicly available data sets is also encouraged. For example, making available for public analysis the inclusion of readmission rates and Medicare Advantage outcomes data would allow Health IT leaders to build more powerful decision making resources thus further empowering patients. *Recommended that data currently available through CMS and other government entities continue to be available to public and private entities, and that additional data developed as a result of the following provisions, at a minimum, be equally accessible for the purposes of advancing the transparency of provider performance: Provisions Related to Medicare Part B 1) Modification to Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) 2) Requirement for Public Reporting by Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers on Health Care-Associated Infections 3) Require Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) to submit cost and other data Provisions Related to Parts A and B 1) Reducing Potentially Preventable Hospital Readmissions Provisions Related to Medicare Advantage Reform 1) Quality Bonus Payments. HEDIS, CAHPs, and other data By coupling these new data elements with existing data streams, public/private partnerships will be enabled to enhance the information patients are seeking to help them make informed decisions with respect to quality and cost performance by providers.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: HR 3590

HR 3590: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act *Worked to clarify language included in the Senate Amendment 3119 ensuring that public data sets remain open., Specifically, the Managers Package eliminated language that would change or delete the misuse of data definition and communicated that this definition was overly broad and needed to be clarified or removed entirely. *Delivered a letter of endorsement for Senate Amendment 3119 regarding open data. *Requested consideration to make the following data sets available: vEncouraged Congress to ensure that public data streams, such as the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) remain available to private organizations such as HealthGrades. vBroadening the data included in publicly available data sets is also encouraged. For example, making available for public analysis the inclusion of readmission rates and Medicare Advantage outcomes data would allow Health IT leaders to build more powerful decision making resources thus further empowering patients. *Recommended that data currently available through CMS and other government entities continue to be available to public and private entities, and that additional data developed as a result of the following provisions, at a minimum, be equally accessible for the purposes of advancing the transparency of provider performance: Provisions Related to Medicare Part B 1) Modification to Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) 2) Requirement for Public Reporting by Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgical Centers on Health Care-Associated Infections 3) Require Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) to submit cost and other data Provisions Related to Parts A and B 1) Reducing Potentially Preventable Hospital Readmissions Provisions Related to Medicare Advantage Reform 1) Quality Bonus Payments. HEDIS, CAHPs, and other data By coupling these new data elements with existing data streams, public/private partnerships will be enabled to enhance the information patients are seeking to help them make informed decisions with respect to quality and cost performance by providers.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: HR 3590

Encouraged Congress to ensure that public data streams remain available to private organizations enabling public/private partnerships. Requested broadening the data included in publicly available data sets to be considered in H.R. 3200 - America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 and the Senate's AMERICAS HEALTHY FUTURE ACT.

Client expense: — · Firm income: $20,000

Matched citations: H.R. 3200