Rep. Dianda offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 314.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to pass legislation that would expand Medicare claims data availability and improve medical care.

            Whereas, The lack of price transparency in health care contributes to high costs and poor quality of care. Since it is nearly impossible to compare costs and quality of services, providers and consumers are prevented from making educated decisions about how much to charge and how much to pay for healthcare. The ability to compare costs and quality is key to a well-functioning healthcare marketplace where high-quality services are priced appropriately and poor-quality providers cannot compete; and

            Whereas, Since Medicare is one of the biggest payers of healthcare costs in the nation, Medicare claims data can provide valuable information. But this information is currently inaccessible. Federal law allows certain healthcare reporting entities, known as "Qualified Entities" or QEs, to prepare reports on healthcare performance measures using Medicare claims data. These QEs can freely disseminate their reports, but they are restricted from selling or otherwise providing the claims data to others; and

            Whereas, Legislation in the United States Congress would remove this restriction on QEs.  The legislation, "SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014," also known as the SGR "fix" bill, would allow QEs to provide or sell Medicare claims data to healthcare providers, health insurance companies, and others to assist them in quality improvement activities; and

            Whereas, Expanding access to Medicare claims data would give providers and insurers a better view of the entire healthcare marketplace and help them make educated decisions on costs and quality. This can be an important first step toward increasing healthcare price transparency, improving quality, and lowering costs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to pass legislation that would expand Medicare claims data availability and improve medical care; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.