The final deadline for the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has passed, and Iowa once again proved its leadership in quality improvement.
In 2026, Iowa ranked third in the nation for the total number of Quality Award applications submitted. IHCA members alone accounted for 137 applications, including 94 Bronze applications – the most of any state – and 41 Silver applications, the second most nationally, along with two Gold applications.
Even more notable, IHCA members submitted 52 more applications than last year, representing a 38% increase. That growth reflects a strong and continued commitment by Iowa providers to quality, performance improvement and organizational excellence.
At the national level, AHCA/NCAL received 2,004 applications from providers across the country – a 30% increase over 2025. This marks the highest number of applications in the program’s 30-year history, which began in 1996, as well as the largest number of Bronze applications ever submitted.
Congratulations to all IHCA members who participated in this year’s Quality Award cycle. The time, effort and discipline required to complete these applications is significant, and Iowa’s results speak for themselves.