The National Quality Forum (NQF) has awarded Robert Krughoff, the founder and president of the Center for the Study of Services (CSS)/Consumers’ CHECKBOOK, its inaugural consumers and patients for quality award.
The award is in recognition of Krughoff’s leadership role in improving transparency in healthcare and promoting greater consumer understanding of healthcare information.
Established by NQF this year, the award recognizes the outstanding contributions of consumers and patient advocates to improving healthcare quality. Honorees will be selected annually.
He was unanimously selected for the award by a jury panel which acknowledged his lifetime work as a nationally recognized consumer advocate dedicated to helping consumers make more informed choices about their healthcare.
Krughoff founded CSS/Consumers’ CHECKBOOK, an independent non-profit organization that publishes products designed to help consumers make smarter choices about their healthcare, such as its Guide to Top Doctors,Consumers’ Guide to Hospitals, Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees and Retirees, and a model plan comparison tool developed to help consumers shopping on the Affordable Care Act exchanges select the health insurance plans that best meet the needs and preferences of themselves and their families.
"Robert has made significant contributions to improving healthcare quality," said Christine Cassel, MD, president and chief executive officer of NQF. "By assuring the availability of timely, accurate, and easy-to-use information, CSS/Consumers’ CHECKBOOK has contributed to helping Americans save money and obtain better care, and has influenced healthcare providers and plans to be more efficient and responsive to consumers."
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