Advocacy

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.

Community mental health agencies consistently lag in the implementation of health information technology (IT) resulting in fewer opportunities for care coordination and data sharing. Federal and state policy approaches can improve the expansion of electronic health records and health IT connecting community mental health care to the rest of the health system.

The Supreme Court will decide if the ACA's preventive care mandate, based on United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations, is unconstitutional, potentially affecting millions' access to cost-free preventive services and restricting evidence-based policymaking. AcademyHealth’s advocacy team explains the case and why we have been supporting USPSTF on behalf of the field.

Significant investments in community health begin with reforming funding approaches and scaling programs that center a community’s experiential knowledge. Participatory grant-making and peer health navigation are two examples of promising health services research approaches that deserve more attention.

For this month only, the November “Read on Washington” is open to all readers. It includes our read on what to watch for in the new Administration and Congress, updates on appropriations, a new Surgeon General report on disparities in smoking, and more.