Healthcare Quality Enhancement Act of 1998

Healthcare Quality Enhancement Act of 1998 - Replaces all provisions of title IX (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research) of the Public Health Service Act with a new title IX (Agency for Healthcare Quality).

Sets forth the mission, duties, and general authorities of the new Agency for Healthcare Quality. Requires the Agency to promote health care quality improvement by: (1) conducting and supporting research that develops and presents scientific evidence regarding all aspects of health care; (2) synthesizing and disseminating available scientific evidence for use by patients, consumers, practitioners, providers, purchasers, policy makers, and educators; and (3) advancing private and public efforts to improve health care quality.

Directs the Agency, in collaboration with experts from the public and private sector, to identify and disseminate methods or systems used to assess health care research projects.

Directs the Agency to employ research strategies and mechanisms that will link research directly with clinical practice in geographically diverse locations throughout the United States.

Provides for grants to carry out research training programs that are dedicated to health services research training at the doctoral, post-doctoral, and junior faculty levels at geographically diverse eligible entities.

Directs the Agency to provide scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve health care quality, including accrediting organizations.

Requires the Agency to provide scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve health care quality, including accrediting organizations.

Requires the collection of data from a nationally representative population sample on the cost and use of health care.

Requires the Agency to support research to evaluate and initiatives to advance the use of information systems in connection with health care.

Requires the Agency to provide ongoing support to the Preventive Services Task Force. Establishes within the Agency a Center for Primary Care Research.

Requires the Director of the Agency to promote innovation in evidence-based clinical practice and health care technologies.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Agency's Director, to coordinate all research, evaluations, and demonstrations related to health services research and quality improvement activities undertaken and supported by the Federal Government.

Establishes the Advisory Council for Healthcare Quality.

Establishes, as a nonprofit corporation, the Foundation for Healthcare Research to: (1) support the Agency; (2) foster public-private partnerships; (3) advance collaboration with health care researchers; and (4) develop linkages with users of health care and quality research.

Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) peer review with respect to grants under this Act; (2) standards with respect to the utility of data collected and statistics developed; (3) the dissemination of information; and (4) administrative authority.

Authorizes appropriations.

Deems any reference in law to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to be deemed a reference to the Agency for Healthcare Quality.