RECOMMENDATIONS 27

This research shows that members of the public in New York State are ready for policymakers and insurers to address quality transparency and accountability. [...] Since most people in New York State indicate that doctors should discuss quality with patients, doctors and other health care professionals need access to well-structured information about quality and training in how to discuss it with patients. [...] Residents of New York State clearly see a role for the state government in disclosing information about quality— particularly black and Hispanic residents and those covered by Medicaid—and in monitoring doctors’ and hospitals’ quality. [...] Finding ways to engage doctors and hospitals in the processes of quality measurement and reporting and to orient disclosure toward quality improvement could help make public reporting more productive and less contentious. [...] Quality measurement and reporting, while important to quality improvement, can be costly and burdensome for doctors and hospitals.24 Federal efforts are underway to streamline quality measurement and reporting.25 Yet not all aspects of quality that are important to New York State residents are currently being measured.