(a) General rule.--Commencing on January 1, 2009, the Department of Public Welfare in consultation with the department shall make a quality improvement payment to a health care facility that achieves at least a 10% reduction for that facility in the total number of reported health care-associated infections over the preceding year pursuant to section 408(7)(i).¹ For calendar year 2010 and thereafter, the Department of Public Welfare shall consult with the department to establish appropriate percentage benchmarks for the reduction of health care-associated infections in each health care facility in order to be eligible for a payment pursuant to this section.

(b) Additional quality improvement payments.--Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department of Public Welfare in consultation with the department from providing additional quality improvement payments to a health care facility that has implemented a qualified electronic surveillance system and has achieved or exceeded reductions in the total number of reported health care-associated infections for that facility over the preceding year as provided in subsection (a).

(c) Eligibility.--In addition to meeting the requirements contained in this section, to be eligible for a quality improvement payment, a health care facility must be in compliance with health care-associated reporting requirements contained in this act and the Health Care Facilities Act.

(d) Distribution of funds.--Funds for the purpose of implementing this section shall be appropriated to the Department of Public Welfare and distributed to eligible health care facilities as set forth in this section. Quality improvement payments to health care facilities shall be limited to funds available for this purpose.