Since 1999, The Commonwealth Fund and The Nuffield Trust have sponsored annual symposia that have brought together senior government officials, leading health researchers, and practitioners from the United States and the United Kingdom for an exchange of quality improvement policies and strategies. The forums provide a unique opportunity for senior policymakers in the two countries to forge relationships, a venue to showcase innovations in quality improvement, and a means of facilitating discussion about what works and what does not in the quality arena. The agenda for the 11th conference will reflect the two nations' mutual challenge of improving quality of care while demonstrating "value for money." The strategies to be examined will include: comparative and cost-effectiveness research, health information technology, payment reform, and the redesign of care delivery processes. The Nuffield Trust will provide 50 percent cofunding.