NCQA launches Health Equity Accreditation program
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) the launch last week of a 鈥痯rogram. It establishes a framework for identifying and closing individual care gaps with a goal of collectively improving health equity nationwide. The program, which grew out of NCQA鈥檚 Multicultural Health Distinction program, aims to hold organizations accountable for evaluating and elevating the health of all the populations they serve. 鈥淎s the nation鈥檚 leading health care performance measurement and quality organization, we know that high-quality care is equitable care,鈥 said NCQA President Margaret O鈥橩ane. In its announcement, NCQA said racial disparities cost the U.S. an estimated $93 billion in excess medical costs each year. (NCQA鈥, 11/17/21)