Oral

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Public Health Quality Forum (PHQF) is chaired by the Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) and has representation from every HHS agency and operating division. Early in 2010, the PHQF was convened to identify a set of priorities for improvement of quality in the public health system. From a systems perspective, the priorities were established to guide the identification, funding, and implementation of quality improvement projects across the system. Additionally, when aligned properly, quality priorities diminish fragmentation and increase the likelihood of achieving national goals. A prior accomplishment of the PHQF was the identification of the 9 aims for the improvement of quality in public health. The aims serve as characteristics that should be present in public health practices across the system for improving population health outcomes. The purpose of this panel is two-fold. First, the HHS priorities for improvement of quality will be introduced along with a discussion on the criteria and rationale used to identify each priority. The second presentation will focus on the ways in which the current evolution in community benefit practices and incentives in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and IRS requirements are aligned with the 9 aims for improvement of quality in public health. The presentation will include specific examples of current practices by hospitals from across the country.

Session Objectives: Describe the U S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) priorities for improvement of quality List the HHS aims for improvement of quality in public health Describe the alignment of nonprofit hospital practices with the HHS 9 aims for improvement of quality