The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and the National Medical Association (NMA) have joined the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) in submitting comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of a new quality measure that would promote improve care for African Americans with heart failure (HF). NMQF has developed this much needed measure – ready for widespread use in CY 2018 – that responds to the substantial disparities in African Americans’ receipt of evidence-based heart failure care. Incorporating this long-overdue measure into the final rule would address an immediate opportunity to close care gaps and reduce preventable mortality in a priority population with heavily documented disparities.
The NMQF has developed the first quality measure of appropriate heart failure care specifically in African Americans. National Quality Forum (NQF) Measure #2764 – a Fixed-Dose Combination of Hydralazine and Isosorbide Dinitrate Therapy for Self-Identified Black or African American Patients with Heart Failure (HF) and LVEF <40% on ACEI or ARB and Beta-Blocker Therapy – reflects standard of care that is too seldom received by eligible patients.
Among the other comments submitted in support of the measure:
Among the other comments submitted in support of the measure:
- Association of Black Cardiologists
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- Jan Basile, Medical University of South Carolina
- Asif Ali, Houston Cardiology Consultants
- Adib Rushdan, Student at St. George's University School of Medicine
- Beverly Oliver, St. Dominic Hospital
- Uri Elkayam, Keck School of Medicine of USC
| ABC, NMA, NMQF Comments on CY18 QPP Proposed Rule |
