AHRQ National Advisory Council will meet next week to provide an update on the agency’s current research, programs and initiatives. The AHRQ National Advisory Council provides advice to AHRQ’s director and to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on matters related to AHRQ.  In particular, it is expected that the council will discuss it’s role in the HRQ comparative effectiveness research program.

See the full press release about the April 3rd meeting here.

Meet the members of the newly formed Comparative Effectiveness Panel named by HHS. The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research, was established to oversee and manage $1.1 billion in research funds allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In addition, the council is charged with making recommendations to the HHS about different treatment options, surgical procedures, therapies and medications. The overall goal is to provide doctors and patients with the best information possible to make better and informed healthcare choices.

The 15 person Comparative Effectiveness Council are:

• Carolyn Clancy, a physician, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Rear Adm. Peter Delany, director of the office of applied studies at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Ezekiel Emanuel, a physician who is special adviser on healthcare with the Office of Management and Budget.
• Jesse Goodman, a physician who is acting chief medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration.
• Garth Graham, a physician who is deputy assistant secretary for minority health in the Office of Minority Health.
• Anne Haddix, a physician who is chief policy officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Deborah Parham Hopson, associate administrator of the HIV/AIDS Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration.
• David Hunt, a physician who is chief medical officer in the Office of the National Coordinator.
• Michael Kilpatrick, a physician who is director of strategic communications for the Military Health System.
• Joel Kupersmith, a physician who is chief research and development officer of the Veterans Health Administration.
• Michael Marge, acting director of the Office on Disability.
• Elizabeth Nabel, a physician who is director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute within the NIH.
• Jim Scanlon, acting deputy assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
• Neera Tanden, counselor for health reform at HHS.
• Tom Valuck, a physician who is medical officer and a senior adviser at the CMS