Comparative Effectiveness Research Funding

Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research to coordinate comparative effectiveness research across the Federal government. The Council will specifically make recommendations for the $400 million allocated to the Office of the Secretary for CER.

Inventory of Comparative Effectiveness Research

HHS seeks input on approaches to developing a CER Inventory that capture ongoing and existing CER in the United States. The inventory will be accessible to the public, including patients, clinicians, and policymakers, through a web-based system.

Comments should focus on appropriate resources and approaches for developing the CER Inventory, rather than the methodology of CER or suggestions for particular CER studies that should be included in the CER Inventory.

To comment, or learn more, see:

• Comment on the development of the CER Inventory
• Purpose of the Request for Inventory Comments
• About the CER Program and Inventory

Listening Sessions

As part of its initial work, the Council is conducting Listening Sessions to hear public comments regarding comparative effectiveness research. Individuals interested in addressing the council may nominate themselves to deliver a three minute oral presentation before the council. Individuals and organizations may also submit written comments for the council’s consideration. The public may also attend the session, listen live via audio conference or watch the session online at www.hhs.gov/recovery.

Review and comment on the Draft Definition, Prioritization Criteria, and Strategic Framework for Public Comment

CER listening sessions:

• FCC Listening session comments April 1, 2009 – June 15, 2009
• Webcast of the June 10 Listening Session
• Transcript of 6/10/2009 listening session (DOC - 249 KB)
• Summary of the 6/10/2009 Listening Session
• Transcript of the 5/13/2009 listening Session (DOC - 245 KB)
• Summary of the 5/13/2009 Listening Session
• Summary of April 14 Listening Session
• Transcript of the 4/14/2009 Listening Session

Panel Selection Process
Panelists will be selected to speak based on a number of criteria, including timing of submitted nomination, size of organization representing, diversity of viewpoints/speakers, and expertise regarding comparative effectiveness research (CER). There will also be an open public panel for which interested people can sign-up on the day of the event and speakers will be selected randomly.

Comparative Effectiveness Research Funding

The Recovery Act (ARRA) contains $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) compares treatments and strategies to improve health. This information is essential for clinicians and patients to decide on the best treatment. It also enables our nation to improve the health of communities and the performance of the health system.

ARRA provides:

• $300 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• $400 million for the National Institutes of Health, and
• $400 million for the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services

These funds are to support research assessing the comparative effectiveness of health care treatments and strategies, through efforts that:

1. Conduct, support, or synthesize research that compares the clinical outcomes, effectiveness, and appropriateness of items, services, and procedures that are used to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases, disorders, and other health conditions.
2. Encourage the development and use of clinical registries, clinical data networks, and other forms of electronic health data that can be used to generate or obtain outcomes data.

Read the excerpt from the Recovery Act related to comparative effectiveness research.

Supporting Comparative Effectiveness Research Plans, by Agency

• NIH
• AHRQ
• Office of the Secretary

Report to the President and the Congress on Comparative Effectiveness Research

The Annual Report on Comparative Effectiveness Research contains information describing current Federal activities on comparative effectiveness research and recommendations for such research conducted or supported from funds made available by the Recovery Act.

• Executive Summary
• Full Report (PDF - 3.70MB)