AcademyHealth’s CEO and President Aaron Carroll issued the following statement upon the release of the House Appropriations Committee’s FY27 funding bill for the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies.
“Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee released a bill that would devastate federal research, science, and health programs. The good news is that it is not too late for the Committee to try again.
“As the professional home for individuals and organizations that produce and use health services research to make health care safer, more affordable, more equitable, and more accessible, AcademyHealth is deeply disappointed by the House Appropriations Committee’s FY27 bill. This budget is short-sighted, fails to acknowledge the significant challenges facing our health care system, much less seriously address them, and should be soundly rejected.
“The legislation would eliminate the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in its entirety. As rural patients suffer from cascading hospital closures and challenges recruiting and retaining medical personnel, AHRQ is the only federal agency with a mandate to fund the research needed to deliver care to constituents where they are.
“AHRQ supports research to improve health care quality, reduce costs, advance patient safety, decrease medical errors, and broaden access to essential services. Over 260 health organizations called on Congress to fund an intact and functioning AHRQ in FY27, coming together in one voice for the unique health research that AHRQ specializes in. These organizations represented every corner of the health care world – patients, providers, nurses, hospitals, insurers, health systems, universities, think tanks, and more – emphasizing how noncontroversial and nonpartisan it is that we produce the best evidence on how to deliver the best care equitably.
“Disturbingly, this bill not only eliminates AHRQ, it also rescinds funding necessary to support the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent, non-profit organization that helps patients, clinicians, and policymakers make informed healthcare decisions. The elimination of mandatory funding for the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) also eliminates PCORI and would end research into substance abuse disorders, telehealth, patient safety, chronic conditions, maternal morbidity, behavioral care access, and more.
“The scientific enterprise in America is critical to addressing ongoing crises in health care cost, quality, and access and it needs serious support and partnership to meet this moment. We call on the House Appropriations Committee to try again.
“We also call on everyone to contact their Members of Congress and tell them clearly what health services research means to you, and that funding for effective, high-quality, high-value, patient-centered care and research must be preserved.”