On March 21, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care, a report to Congress designed to make health care more affordable, patient-centered, and safe. The strategy recommends developing and disseminating new service delivery models to make health care more affordable, reducing harm in health care provision, and ensuring patient and family engagement in health care. HHS also proposes promoting effective care coordination and communication to improve quality while reducing costs.

From the report:

The Affordable Care Act seeks to increase access to high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. To that end, the law requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care (the National Quality Strategy) that sets priorities to guide this effort and includes a strategic plan for how to achieve it. This report describes the initial Strategy and plan for implementation.

The National Quality Strategy will promote quality health care in which the needs of patients, families, and communities guide the actions of all those who deliver and pay for care. It will incorporate the evidence-based results of the latest research and scientific advances in clinical medicine, public health, and health care delivery.

Full Report: National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care 

Healthcare.gov. (2011). National strategy for quality improvement in health care.