Healthcare reform board seeks comment on research agenda

A panel of experts created by President Obama's healthcare reform law is seeking public input on its draft research agenda released Monday.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) aims to fund research that compares medical procedures to see which are more effective. 

The 2010 health law set aside $500 million in the first five years for what it called "comparative effectiveness research," which is controversial because some worry that it could limit medical professionals' ability to order expensive care that could be effective for specific patients but not the general population.

"We want to hear from patients, caregivers, providers  and the wider health care community on whether our draft priorities and initial research agenda capture the broad areas where more evidence-based information is needed to make better decisions," PCORI Board Chairman Eugene Washington said in a statement. "This is a major milestone in our work as we continue to collaborate with all stakeholders and to build on the work of others for what we  expect will be the most patient-centered research agenda yet."

The draft National Priorities for Research identifies five areas where comparative effectiveness research is needed to support decision-making:

• Assessment of Options for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment;

• Improving Health Care Systems;

• Communication and Dissemination Research;

• Addressing Disparities; and

• Accelerating Patient-Centered Outcomes Research and Methodological Research.

Comments are due by the end of the day March 15 and can be delivered via the board's website. PCORI is also hosting a daylong dialogue about the agenda with stakeholders on Feb. 27.

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