Advocacy

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced a unilateral reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services. Among the decisions was the merging of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) with the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) into a new Agency. However, no information was provided about what was merged and what was not, including the status of hundreds of millions of dollars in health research and patient-centered grants administered by AHRQ. 

This month's "Read on Washington," available only to AcademyHealth members, includes updates on risks AHRQ, the latest on Medicaid in the budget reconciliation process, updates on HHS confirmations, and more.

In the wake of recent policy shifts under President Trump's administration, the core of America's scientific research is under unprecedented strain. Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Elizabeth Cope of AcademyHealth present a compelling analysis of these challenges, urging the scientific community to adopt new strategies to safeguard academic freedom and ensure continued innovation.

The Friends of AHRQ have sent to Congress a letter signed by 194 organizations on the importance of supporting the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in FY26 and beyond.

This month's "Read on Washington," available only to AcademyHealth members, includes updates on risks to Medicaid in the budget reconciliation process, the latest on FY25 appropriations, updates at HHS, and more.

Newly sworn-in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has prioritized Making America Healthy Again. AHRQ’s proven track record in improving health outcomes makes it an essential tool for achieving his vision.

In a guest essay for the New York Times, Aaron Carroll describes how proposed cuts to Medicaid would be catastrophic to Americans’ access to care.

The award recognizes the enduring legacy of Gail Wilensky by recognizing leaders in health policy who have made a positive impact on the American health care system through the development and use of evidence to shape U.S. health policy.