HHS Solicits Input on Priorities for Research under AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

AHRQ Media Advisory: January 3, 2006

What: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will hold an open forum to solicit recommendations for health conditions to be reviewed under Section 1013 of the Medicare Modernization Act. Under Section 1013, alternative treatments for significant health conditions are reviewed, the effectiveness of the treatments is compared, and the review and comparison are made public. In 2006, HHS will select new priority conditions for review, and the Department invites comment at this forum. An initial set of priority conditions for review was selected in 2004, identifying 10 health conditions of high significance for the Medicare program. Additional priority conditions to be identified in 2006 will include conditions of importance to the Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as Medicare.

When: Wednesday, January 11, 2006, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., EST

Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045 (Metro Center Metro Station).

Who: Alex Azar, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Editor's Note: The agenda for the listening session has been posted at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/aboutUs/listening.cfm. A call-in line has been established for anyone not able to attend the meeting in person; call-in information will be provided when you RSVP.

For more information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs: (301) 427-1922 or (301) 427-1539.

Internet Citation:

HHS Solicits Input on Priorities for Research under AHRQ Effective Health Care Program. Press Release, January 3, 2006. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2006/efforumpr.htm