Priority Setting for the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Pediatric Quality Measures Program

Section 401(a) of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-3) amended title Xl of the Social Security Act by inserting after section 1139 the new section 1139A, "Child Health Quality Measures.": Subsection 1139A(b), "Advancing and Improving Pediatric Quality Measures," directs the Secretary to establish a pediatric quality measures program to: improve and strengthen the initial core child health care quality measures established by the Secretary under section 1139A(a); expand on existing pediatric quality measures used by public and private health care purchasers and advance the development of new quality measures; and increase the portfolio of evidence-based, consensus pediatric quality measures available to public and private purchasers of children's healthcare services, providers, and consumers. Section 1139A(b)(3) requires the Secretary to consult with a broad range of stakeholders to set these priorities. To meet the requirement for extensive stakeholder consultation, we are seeking general public comment on these draft priorities, and asking the public to identify additional priorities as needed.