Quality data was voluntarily reported by one in three U.S. hospitals for the clinical categories of heart failure, heart attack and pneumonia, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported, February 20. The hospitals participating are sharing at least one of these clinical quality measures, which will help to improve the quality of health care across the country. This is more than three times the number that shared DATA in October 2003 before Congress passed the newly enacted Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). A financial incentive provided to hospitals by the act has brought hospitals forward to send in their data and the numbers are expected to increase significantly in 2004. Those reporting in 2004 will receive enhanced payments in 2005. It is thought that the new law will supercede this phase of voluntary reporting to step up their reporting. For more information, www.cms.hhs.gov/quality/hospital