; studies (1) Uniform reporting standards (A) In general The Secretary shall establish uniform State reporting requirements and national standards to ensure an adequate national database containing information pertaining to health services practitioners, approved providers, the costs of facilities and practitioners providing such services, the quality of such services, the outcomes of such services, and the equity of health among population groups. Such standards shall include, to the maximum extent feasible without compromising patient privacy, health outcome measures, and to the maximum extent feasible without excessively burdening providers, the measures described in subparagraphs (D) through (F) of subsection (a)(1). (B) Reports The Secretary shall regularly analyze information reported to it and shall define rules and procedures to allow researchers, scholars, health care providers, and others to access and analyze data for purposes consistent with quality and outcomes research, without compromising patient privacy. (2) Annual report Beginning January 1 of the second year beginning after the effective date of this Act, the Secretary shall annually report to Congress on the following: (A) The status of implementation of the Act. (B) Enrollment under this Act. (C) Benefits under this Act. (D) Expenditures and financing under this Act. (E) Cost-containment measures and achievements under this Act. (F) Quality assurance. (G) Health care utilization patterns, including any changes attributable to the program. (H) Changes in the per-capita costs of health care. (I) Differences in the health status of the populations of the different States, including income and racial characteristics, and other population health inequities. (J) Progress on quality and outcome measures, and long-range plans and goals for achievements in such areas. (K) Necessary changes in the education of health personnel. (L) Plans for improving service to medically underserved populations. (M) Transition problems as a result of implementation of