A bill that would de-fund the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency ACC has long supported, has passed through the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee.

Although it is thought that the bill will progress no further in the House, it is a startling message, and urges us to emphasize the importance of patient-centered outcomes research and health services research. Earlier this year, the ACC testified before the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee about the importance of AHRQ and health services research among other federal programs, and recently the College signed a Friends of AHRQ joint letter to the House urging them to reject the bill that de-funds AHRQ.

As you probably know, AHRQ’s funding goes towards research related to health care costs, quality, and access. These topics are crucial as we navigate health care reform and emphasize quality, value, and outcome in a new and more sustainable health care system. One of the ways the ACC and AHRQ have been working together is through the AHRQ’s National Partnership Network. As mentioned in a previous blog post by AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, MD, the College recently joined the AHRQ Effective Health Care Program to provide our members with free research and educational tools. The Agency also provides comparative effectiveness research (CER), which is important since it compares drugs, therapies, medical devices, tests, surgeries, or ways to deliver health care in the search for a more value driven system. Research summaries are available through AHRQ and are designed to help clinicians and patients compare a variety of health care interventions and treatments, and to understand the benefits, harms, and side effects of these various approaches. Members can also participate in the research development process, and there is a plethora of tools available for physicians and their patients on AHRQ’s website.

The new federal fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, 2012, so Congress must act on appropriations by then to continue funding federal agencies. With the election looming, every indication is that Congress will once again resort to enacting a continuing resolution this fall to fund programs into the new year. Regardless, we must continue to educate members of Congress on the importance of federal programs such as these, in order to prevent future bills that defund these programs from passing.

To learn more on the topic, read an article on CardioSource.org.