On June 18, 2008, CMS announced it will be launching a “five-star” rating system for nursing facilities to help patients and their families assess nursing home quality. CMS will begin publishing ratings in December 2008.  During June and July 2008, CMS is soliciting comments on the initiative, and the agency plans to hold an “open door” phone conference on the proposal on June 24, 2008. CMS plans to work with other health care providers and consumers to make similar rating systems available for hospitals, home health agencies, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities in the future.