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November 8, 2004
Dear Chairman Regula and Congressman Obey: The Friends of AHRQ thank you for your support for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). AHRQ's research provides the evidence-based information needed to reduce medical errors, improve access to health care services, and more efficiently utilize health care resources. We are asking for your continued leadership on behalf of the Agency as you complete the FY2005 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The Friends of AHRQ support at least the Senate mark of $319 million for AHRQ in FY2005. This includes $15 million for comparative effectiveness research authorized in last year's Medicare Modernization Act. Comparative effectiveness studies are needed to improve the health care quality provided to all Americans. This research provides objective, scientifically-based information that clinicians and patients can use to determine the best treatment options for them. For example, recent comparative analysis has shown that simple diuretics work just as effectively as more expensive drugs for treating most people with hypertension. While some health plans do some research in this area, it is not sufficient to meet the needs of all private and public payers and this limited private research is usually not made available to those responsible for managing major public programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP. Again, the Friends of AHRQ thank you for your support of AHRQ. With your continued leadership, the Agency will continue to fund and support important health services research critical to improving the health and health care of all Americans. Sincerely, Alpha-1 Association |
