(NCQA: Washington) -- The quality of care for more than 80 million people in the United States enrolled in 767 accountable health plans improved in 2006, according to a new report by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The State of Health Care Quality 2007 reports that commercial health plans posted improvements in 30 of 44 quality of care measures, including gains in childhood immunizations and colorectal cancer screening. Medicaid plans also improved on 34 of 43 measures.

The performance of health plans participating in Medicare lagged behind for a second consecutive year, improving in 7 of 21 measures of care. In 2006, 44 new Medicare managed-care plans reported on quality for the first time, bringing the total to 211 publicly reporting plans this year.

“For the 80 million Americans in accountable plans this is great news. These improvements mean better health and longer lives,” says Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA president. “But we all need to be concerned about the 100 million Americans who are in the dark about their health plan’s quality. The stakes are just too high.”

 …