The "Stand with AHRQ Toolkit" is designed to empower and equip our community with the necessary tools to advocate for the continued existence of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This comprehensive resource includes:

  • Instructions for Contacting Congress
  • Messaging Guidance
  • Sample Social Media Posts
  • Social Media Images
  • Other Resources  

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.

Instructions for Contacting Congress

  1. Call your congressional office. Utilize your representatives' direct phone numbers instead of going through the U.S. Congress operator line. You can find these numbers on your congressional leader's website. Find your representative here. Find your senator here.
     
  2. Ask for the health staffer's email address. Once connected, request the contact information for the health policy staffer to ensure your message reaches the right person.
     
  3. Email the health staffer with messaging from below. Use the prepared messages to succinctly communicate the importance of AHRQ and your support for its continued operation.

Messaging Guidance

Focus AreaKey MessageSupporting Details
Cost Savings  AHRQ initiatives have led to significant financial savings in healthcare systems. 
  • Maryland/D.C. health system reduced safety-related costs by $70 million in five years through AHRQ strategies.  
  • Tennessee hospitals saved $17 million by reducing readmissions and safety events.
  • Chicago hospital saved $500,000 by eliminating catheter-related infections. 
Patient Safety AHRQ plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety across the nation, reducing serious safety events and preventing infections. 
  • AHRQ strategies reduced serious safety events by 65% in a Maryland/D.C. health system.  
  • Achieved zero catheter-related infections in a Chicago hospital using AHRQ strategies.
  • Reduced patient falls by 25% in a Mississippi medical center, saving approximately $238,000. 
Chronic Diseases AHRQ is a key player in reducing the burden of chronic diseases, providing evidence-based insights to improve health outcomes and care quality. 
  • AHRQ funds research on root causes of poor health, such as nutrition and access to care, to inform preventive measures.  
  • Supports studies on primary care spending and the impact of Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit, highlighting areas for financial efficiency and improved preventive services.  
  • Guides healthcare professionals with evidence-based resources on managing chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes. 
Rural Health AHRQ is dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural Americans, making healthcare more accessible and equitable. 
  • AHRQ identifies and tackles rural healthcare disparities, such as limited OB-GYN access, through research and reports.  
  • Supports telehealth innovations like Project ECHO to enhance healthcare access and expertise in rural areas, including tackling issues like diabetes and opioid use disorder.  
  • Works to address rural hospital closures and evaluate alternative care models to ensure continued access and quality of care for rural communities. 
Opioid Crisis AHRQ addresses the opioid crisis through research and initiatives aimed at reducing opioid-related deaths and improving treatment in rural areas. 
  • Supports innovations like Project ECHO to train rural doctors in new opioid treatment methods, enhancing their ability to manage patients with opioid use disorder.  
  • Evaluates effective opioid intervention strategies, including combining talk therapy with medication, to improve recovery outcomes in resource-limited rural settings.  
  • Researches barriers to accessing opioid treatment to inform policy and program improvements. 
Health Services Research AHRQ supports essential HSR, which evaluates and improves healthcare delivery to make it safer, more effective, and cost-efficient. 
  • HSR examines the structure and delivery of healthcare, impacting both quality and cost outcomes.  
  • AHRQ has saved healthcare systems over $12 billion by implementing evidence-based improvements.  
  • HSR translates scientific innovations into practical care, addressing pressing healthcare challenges. 

Sample Social Media Posts

Bluesky/X:

  1. 🚨 I stand with AcademyHealth in opposing the reckless decision to eliminate #AHRQ. This move endangers patient safety and health innovation. Call your congressional reps to reverse this decision! #SupportAHRQ [Link]
  2. 🏥 AHRQ's essential work in reducing healthcare costs and improving rural health outcomes is at risk. I urge Congress to act swiftly. Contact your reps and demand the preservation of AHRQ. #SaveAHRQ #HealthForAll [Link]
  3. 📢 The elimination of #AHRQ is an assault on our nation's health; I join AcademyHealth in calling for immediate action. Call your reps now to protect AHRQ! #HealthAdvocacy [Link]
  4. 🌄 Without #AHRQ, rural health innovations will suffer. Let's urge Congress to restore this essential agency. Contact your congressional representatives today! #SupportAHRQ #RuralHealth [Link]

LinkedIn/Facebook:

  1. Stand with AHRQ! 
    I agree with AcademyHealth's statement that the decision to eliminate the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) threatens American health. This agency is crucial for reducing medical errors and improving patient outcomes. I urge you to join me in calling on Congress to restore AHRQ immediately! Contact your representatives to safeguard our healthcare future. #SupportAHRQ [Link to statement]
  2. Why AHRQ is Essential 
    I support AcademyHealth's view that the elimination of #AHRQ is profoundly shortsighted. AHRQ plays a vital role in fostering healthcare innovations and improving rural health outcomes. Let's urge Congress and HHS to reverse this decision. Reach out to your congressional representatives to protect AHRQ and our nation's health future! #HealthAdvocacy #SaveAHRQ [Link to statement]
  3. Join the Call to Save AHRQ 
    Like AcademyHealth, I oppose the elimination of AHRQ, a nonpartisan cornerstone for better health outcomes. This decision risks worsening health across the U.S. Please join me in contacting your representatives to demand the protection of AHRQ! #SupportAHRQ [Link to statement]

Instagram:

  1. 🛑 Stop the AHRQ Elimination 
    I stand with AcademyHealth in opposing the elimination of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This agency is vital for safe, effective healthcare in America. Act now—call your congressional reps and demand they restore #AHRQ! #SupportAHRQ #HealthCareMatters [Link to statement]
  2. 🌍 Protect Rural Health 
    Eliminating #AHRQ puts rural health progress at risk. I agree with AcademyHealth and call on Congress to restore this critical agency. Contact your reps today to keep #AHRQ working for all communities! #RuralHealth #SupportAHRQ [Link to statement]
  3. 🏥 Join the Stand with AHRQ 
    Like AcademyHealth, I'm opposed to the elimination of #AHRQ. This decision threatens health outcomes and innovation. Let Congress hear your voice—call your reps and demand action! #SaveAHRQ #HealthAdvocacy [Link to statement] 

Social Media Images

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Other Resources

AcademyHealth Blog Posts

One-Pagers

AcademyHealth has developed one-pagers that are free to use in your advocacy and education efforts for AHRQ:

News Articles