[1][2] It was established in 1999 based on recommendations by the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry.

[5] Jonathan Perlin, CEO of the Joint Commission, stated: "We believe that by combining the unique capabilities of each organization, we can better support focused improvement in healthcare.

Our goals are shared across the patient, consumer, payer, purchaser, and provider communities: Safer, higher value, more equitable, and more compassionate healthcare".

[6] NQF operates as a consensus-based entity in the creation of voluntary consensus standards as defined by the National Technology Transfer Act and Advancement act of 1995 and the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119, which directs US government agencies to participate in the development and use of voluntary consensus standards.

On February 8, 2023, CMS awarded Battelle Memorial Institute a $53 million contract to procure the services of a consensus-based entity,[11] necessary to support various duties pertaining to health care performance measurement, as required under Section 1890 of the Social Security Act.