Legislation (HR 2184) introduced on Tuesday by Reps. Tom Allen (D-Maine) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) would provide $3 billion over five years to fund comparative effectiveness studies conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on drugs, medical devices and treatments, CQ HealthBeat reports. Funding for research would come from the federal government, health insurers and large employers with self-insured plans. The bill would establish a comparative effectiveness advisory board appointed by the Comptroller General at the Government Accountability Office that would include employers, consumers, health care providers, researchers and others. The board would offer advice on research priorities and methodologies, according to CQ HealthBeat.

AHRQ already has conducted comparative effectiveness research on renal artery stenosis, anemia drugs used by cancer patients and other issues. Comparative research examines the effectiveness of different therapies for the same condition to identify the best options. Allen said, "As the demand for quality health care services grows, we must get the best value for our health care dollar." Bill Vaughan, senior policy analyst at Consumers Union, said comparative effectiveness research "is how consumers find what really works and what's good." Emerson said that bill was a "no-brainer" and should receive bipartisan support because of its potential to save money and improve health care quality (Carey, CQ HealthBeat, 5/15).