In today’s issue, we cover AcademyHealth's initiatives to support AHRQ amidst potential federal reorganization, highlight opportunities for taking action on transparent health reforms, and share how our members are collaboratively addressing policy and funding challenges. Additionally, we explore the effects of recent federal actions on U.S. research institutions and provide information on Georgetown University's transition support for federal employees.
In today’s issue:
- AcademyHealth is Mobilizing in Support of AHRQ
- Take Action: Demand Any HHS Reforms are Transparent and Strategic
- Inside Access: AcademyHealth Members Tackle Policy and Funding Challenges Together
- Seeking Stories: Impact of Trump Policies on Research and Innovation
- Federal Cuts and Immigration Actions Disrupt U.S. Research Institutions
- Georgetown Offers Transition Support for Federal Employees
AcademyHealth is Mobilizing in Support of AHRQ
AcademyHealth continues to monitor concerning developments at the federal level related to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). There have been reports of an impending HHS reorganization that may include a reduction of AHRQ staff by 80-90 percent. Here’s how AcademyHealth and our community is responding:
Mobilizing our Community
AcademyHealth is working quickly to mobilize our community. This effort has included frequent updates on the situation via social media, explicitly calling out our concerns and highlighting the value of AHRQ. We are also working closely with partners to amplify our efforts.
On Tuesday AcademyHealth hosted a Friends of AHRQ town hall in response to the significant threats AHRQ is facing. We were thrilled to have 290 partners join the call, all in support of this critical agency and heartened by the collective energy and collaborative spirit of the call. Topics discussed included: AHRQ initiatives to highlight during advocacy, opportunities for further collaboration and joint advocacy, identification of AHRQ champions, and recommendations to increase media impact.
Following this meeting, AcademyHealth has been connecting researchers and patients to media outlets, adapting the advocacy toolkit, and coordinating advocacy efforts. If you would like to become a Friend of AHRQ and receive updates and calls to action, please email advocacy@academyhealth.org.
Working to Get AHRQ into the News
Our team at AcademyHealth is conducting media outreach to raise awareness about both the threats against AHRQ and the value of the agency. Please see below for a round-up of recent articles. If you have a lead or are willing to serve as an on the record source, please contact Lauren Adams at lauren.adams@academyhealth.org.
- STAT News: HHS agency responsible for health care quality research threatened with mass layoffs
- POLTICO Pulse: Around the Agencies: AHRQ Pleas
- Off Message: The Trump Administration Goes To War With Health-Care Quality
- Forbes: At Little-Known Health Agency, DOGE Ends Dream ‘To Make A Difference’
- STAT News: A little-known HHS agency may face big layoffs
- POLITICO: HHS braces for a reorganization
Targeted Congressional Outreach
Working with our allies, AcademyHealth is calling on Congress to protect AHRQ. We are encouraging them to champion the essential work AHRQ funds, reminding them how evidence-based research advances care and ultimately saves lives. As we reported in the latest edition, Congressional members Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Donald S. Beyer Jr., and Representative Jamie Raskin have voiced significant concerns regarding proposed plans to reorganize health research and service agencies in a recent letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. The letter emphasizes the indispensable role AHRQ plays as the sole federal agency mandated to conduct health services research, crucial for enhancing health care quality, efficiency, and accessibility in America. Aligned with that congressional letter, AcademyHealth is emphasizing the importance of ensuring Congress and other stakeholders are involved in any reorganization of HHS.
Take Action: Demand Any HHS Reforms are Transparent and Strategic
The most impactful action you can take to support the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is to directly contact your congressional representatives. Congress needs to hear from constituents like you about the importance of preserving and fully funding AHRQ. AcademyHealth created a "Stand with AHRQ Toolkit" to equip our community with the necessary tools to advocate for AHRQ. This comprehensive resource includes:
- Instructions for Contacting Congress
- Messaging Guidance
- Sample Social Media Posts
- Social Media Images
- Other Resources
Access the toolkit and begin advocating for AHRQ now.
Inside Access: AcademyHealth Members Tackle Policy and Funding Challenges Together
AcademyHealth hosted a membership town hall on Wednesday, bringing together 90 members to focus on tackling current policy and funding challenges while also building a stronger community. Members engaged directly with AcademyHealth’s President and CEO, Aaron Carroll, and Director of Advocacy, Josh Caplan, raising questions and sharing suggestions on federal funding concerns and advocacy efforts. The town hall also featured small group discussions, allowing members to collaborate on solving these pressing issues. Members expressed their gratitude for having a dedicated space to discuss these important topics and learn about AcademyHealth's advocacy work. This town hall is part of the "Virtual Events for AcademyHealth Members" series, which includes monthly virtual gatherings with alternating formats. The next event is scheduled for April 23. Details forthcoming. Click here to become a member and gain access to these exclusive events.
Seeking Stories: Impact of Trump Policies on Research and Innovation
There are two opportunities to share how the health and research community is being affected by recent federal changes: one organized by former HHS employees and another by a Washington Post reporter.
A team of former HHS employees are collecting firsthand information about the impacts of cuts to HHS agencies, including mass firings and actions that push people out of public service, and pay stoppages to contractors and grantees. Their goal is to document the impact of these cuts to HHS programs and the American public. If you have been affected and feel safe sharing, the team would greatly appreciate your insights: hhs-impacts.org You can reach them at hhs-impacts@proton.me. Content may be shared with reporters.
Washington Post reporter Dan Diamond is investigating how the Trump administration's decisions to cancel research grants and delay funding are affecting American research and innovation. If you’re a researcher or academic with insights or experiences you'd like to share, please reach out to Dan at dan.diamond@washpost.com or via Signal at dan_diamond.01. Your input can help highlight the long-term impact of these changes.
Federal Cuts and Immigration Actions Disrupt U.S. Research Institutions
Recent federal funding cuts and immigration actions are impacting U.S. research institutions. Johns Hopkins University is cutting over 2,000 jobs after an $800 million federal grant was terminated, affecting its medical school, public health programs, and the nonprofit Jhpiego. Columbia University is facing disruptions to medical research after losing $400 million in federal funding, impacting studies on breast cancer, diabetes, and maternal health. The Associated Press reports that NIH funding reductions are affecting career opportunities for young scientists, leading some to consider leaving the U.S. for research positions abroad. Meanwhile, a French scientist was denied entry to the U.S. and deported after officials reviewed messages on his phone, and a Georgetown University researcher was arrested and had his visa revoked over alleged links to Hamas propaganda. These developments have raised concerns within the research community.
Georgetown Offers Transition Support for Federal Employees
Georgetown University is offering a variety of transition resources for current and recently separated federal employees. These include a 10% tuition scholarship for master's programs starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, a 30% discount on professional certificates, and career programming to assist with job transitions. For more information, contact federalsupport@georgetown.edu or 202.687.FEDS.
Previous Updates
This is the latest in a series of Situation Report updates from AcademyHealth. You can find prior issues here.
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