Agency Reauthorization Passes with Wide Bipartisan Support

Press Release Date: November 23, 1999

The U.S. Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). Under the legislation, AHCPR will now be known as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

"I am very pleased that Congress has voted to reauthorize the newly named Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality," said John M. Eisenberg, M.D., AHCPR administrator. "This vote culminates a period of rebuilding for the Agency from which we believe we have emerged as an important source of unbiased, evidence-based information for the health care industry and policymakers. This action reflects strong, bipartisan support for the role AHCPR played—and AHRQ will play—in improving the quality of health care through research."

"This legislation offers us new research challenges and opportunities. However, this reauthorization has not changed our fundamental mission to support, conduct, and disseminate research that improves access to care and the outcomes, quality, cost, and use of health care services," added Dr. Eisenberg.

Congress also has voted $205 million for the Agency in Fiscal Year 2000. About two-thirds of the Agency's budget is awarded as grants and contracts to researchers at universities and research institutions around the country. In addition, the Agency supports many other activities, including the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the National Guideline Clearinghouse™, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Evidence-based Practice Centers, and the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans.

For additional information, please contact AHCPR Public Affairs, (301) 427-1364: Karen Migdail, (301) 427-1855 (KMigdail@ahrq.gov).

Internet Citation:

Agency Reauthorization Passes with Wide Bipartisan Support. Press Release, November 23, 1999. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr1999/ahrq.htm