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December 7, 2005
Dear Chairman Specter and Senator Harkin: The Coalition for Health Services Research, representing over 3,800 researchers and 125 organizational affiliates, respectfully request that you consider modifying H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act of 2006 in order to increase the funding for those agencies that support health services research. Health services research examines the performance of the American health care system and identifies ways to improve access, quality, and cost of care. The small investment in health services research made by the federal government provides significant returns to policymakers, health administrators, providers, patients, and others in improved care and services. Health services research addresses critical health policy issues facing our country. These include reducing medical errors, making the best use of information technology, translating clinical research into medical practice, comparing the effectiveness of health services, improving the economic efficiency of the health care system, and reducing disparities in health care related to race, ethnicity, and community of residence. We are specifically asking that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality be provided with $20 million to fund comparative effectiveness studies. This funding was included in the Senate bill, but removed during conference. We also ask that either funding be increased for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to fully fund the Real Choice System Grants program, or that the program be removed altogether. The current conference report provides CMS with $13 million to fund the Real Choice program, while requiring them to make $25 million in grants. This would leave CMS with a $12 million shortfall that it would have to make up by slashing other programs required by law. We appreciate your past support for health services research and urge you to make these modest changes. Sincerely, W. David Helms, Ph.D. |
