In This Week’s Issue:
1. Lund Report: Oregon Faces Scrutiny Over One-Of-A-Kind Hurdles to Children’s Health Care. Click here to view the article.
2. New Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement: Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. See below for details.
3. On the Podcast: Chronic Disease Care at Risk in Oregon. Click here to listen.
4. PCORI's Proposed Research Agenda: Public Comment Period is Open! Click here to read more.
5. PIPC Holds 12th Annual Forum: The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy. Click here to view the forum.
6. IHP: Disability Agency Urges Congress to Ban QALYs in All Federal Programs. Click here to read the article ($). Click here to view the NCD letter sent to Congress.
7. Comments Submitted: Patient Advocates Push to Overhaul Oregon Medicaid's 'Prioritized List' for Care. Click here to read the article.
8. PCORI Board of Governors Meeting. Click here to view the meeting transcript.
9. IVI-MDD Value Model Draft Protocol: Public Comment Period is Open! See details below.
10. PIPC and Morning Consult Publish Poll Showing Strong Support for NCD Recommendations to Ban QALYs. Click here to view the poll results.
11. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels. Click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
12. DREDF Releases Report Responding to a Flawed ICER Analyses, Instead Finds that QALY Violates Disability Nondiscrimination Law. Click here to view the report.
13. Upcoming opportunity within the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement at AHRQ, see details below.
14. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
15. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
16. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Alzheimer's Disease, Beta Thalassemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia, COVID-19, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Asthma, Unsupported Price Increase, Fair Access: Coverage Policies. Click here to provide patient input.
17. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
18. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
19. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.
1. Lund Report: Oregon Faces Scrutiny Over One-Of-A-Kind Hurdles to Children’s Health Care. Click here to view the article.
2. New Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement: Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. See below for details.
3. On the Podcast: Chronic Disease Care at Risk in Oregon. Click here to listen.
4. PCORI's Proposed Research Agenda: Public Comment Period is Open! Click here to read more.
5. PIPC Holds 12th Annual Forum: The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy. Click here to view the forum.
6. IHP: Disability Agency Urges Congress to Ban QALYs in All Federal Programs. Click here to read the article ($). Click here to view the NCD letter sent to Congress.
7. Comments Submitted: Patient Advocates Push to Overhaul Oregon Medicaid's 'Prioritized List' for Care. Click here to read the article.
8. PCORI Board of Governors Meeting. Click here to view the meeting transcript.
9. IVI-MDD Value Model Draft Protocol: Public Comment Period is Open! See details below.
10. PIPC and Morning Consult Publish Poll Showing Strong Support for NCD Recommendations to Ban QALYs. Click here to view the poll results.
11. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels. Click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
12. DREDF Releases Report Responding to a Flawed ICER Analyses, Instead Finds that QALY Violates Disability Nondiscrimination Law. Click here to view the report.
13. Upcoming opportunity within the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement at AHRQ, see details below.
14. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
15. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
16. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Alzheimer's Disease, Beta Thalassemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia, COVID-19, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Asthma, Unsupported Price Increase, Fair Access: Coverage Policies. Click here to provide patient input.
17. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
18. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
19. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.
1. Lund Report: Oregon Faces Scrutiny Over One-Of-A-Kind Hurdles to Children’s Health Care.
Scrutiny of the Oregon waiver and its “prioritized list of services” was further explored in a recent article in Oregon’s Lund Report. The article states, "Now, as the state seeks to renew federal approval of the Oregon Health Plan’s specialized waiver from Medicaid requirements, the state’s alone-in-the-nation approach toward children’s benefits has become a target for parents, providers and advocates. National advocates have also put a public spotlight on Oregon.” The article further states, "When the system fails, children fall through the cracks.” The article quoted a recent letter to the state from the Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, a state public health agency, calling the approach “fundamentally racist” and “unacceptable.” The article also quoted Joan Alker, Medicaid policy researcher and executive director at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, who said, "Oregon is the only state in the country that has this broad waiver of (the federal children’s health requirement), and there’s simply no good reason at all for it, and it needs to go away.” Click here to view the article.
2. New Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement: Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
On Tuesday, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) released the Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement (Targeted PFA). This Targeted PFA aims to fund high-quality, rigorous randomized controlled trials or observational, prospective cohort studies that compare the effectiveness of evidence-based approaches (e.g., specific pharmacological and behavioral interventions) that address mental health conditions in individuals with IDD. Proposed studies should compare the effectiveness of pharmacological, behavioral, or other nonpharmacological or combination interventions administered via appropriate delivery modalities (e.g., telehealth, family-based, group, or individual).
Studies focused on pediatric, transitional age, and adult individuals with mild to moderate IDD-related impairment, those with more severe impairment due to IDDs, underrepresented groups, and underserved populations (e.g., individuals in rural settings) are of particular interest.
Here is the funding announcement for more information about this Targeted PFA and register for the town hall on January 31, 2022 at noon (ET).
3. On the Podcast: Chronic Disease Care at Risk in Oregon
States are like dominos. When one state enacts a health policy, others replicate. Oregon’s Medicaid draft 1115 waiver has several red flags for patient healthcare access, and all patients should watch this carefully. Meghan Moyer, the public policy director at Disability Rights Oregon, explains why the waiver is a concern for chronic and rare disease patients. From discriminatory healthcare metrics that determine coverage to a closed formulary that would hinder access to FDA accelerated approval drugs, it’s filled with problems for patients. Click here to listen to the podcast.
4. PCORI's Proposed Research Agenda: Public Comment Period is Open!
PCORI has launched the public comment period on its proposed Research Agenda, which will provide the framework for PCORI’s future funding of comparative clinical effectiveness research and other research initiatives. It stems from the five National Priorities for Health adopted by PCORI’s Board of Governors in October.
The proposed Research Agenda states PCORI will fund research in six areas of focus. More details on the types of projects that could be included in each area of focus are available on PCORI’s website and an associated blog.
Comments from a variety of perspectives, including yours and your communities’, are vital for ensuring PCORI’s Research Agenda will help meet the needs of all healthcare decision makers for years to come. The public comment period is open through January 31, 2022. Read more about the proposed Research Agenda and how to submit comments on PCORI’s website.
5. PIPC Holds 12th Annual Forum: The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy.
The 12th Annual PIPC Forum on The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy, focused on the recommendation of the National Council on Disability (NCD) for an unambiguous ban on the quality adjusted life year (QALY) within the text of the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5367), as well as the increasing reference to comparative and cost effectiveness assessments in determining reimbursement, coverage, and programs at the state and federal level. Click here to view the forum.
The Chairman of the National Council on Disability, Andrés Gallegos, stated, “In our most recent advice to Congress we advise that Congress extend those prohibitions [prohibitions against the use of the QALY in the ACA] throughout federal programs. The Build Back Better Act is a tremendous opportunity to do so and to memorialize the protections with an unambiguous ban on the use of the QALY. We remain hopeful that our advice will be heeded as we all await the final text of that bill.”
6. IHP: Disability Agency Urges Congress to Ban QALYs In All Federal Programs
Inside Health Policy highlighted statements made by the Chairman of the National Council on Disability (NCD) at the annual PIPC Forum. The article stated, "After getting the Senate Finance Committee to ban Medicare from using a common metric for appraising drug prices, the government agency National Council on Disability is asking Congress to use the Build Back Better bill to prohibit the use of the quality-adjusted life years metric in all government programs.” The article stated that the NCD sent a letter to Congress encouraging the inclusion of a QALY ban within the bill that applies to all Medicare price negotiation and that is extended to all government programs. The article highlighted that the "U.S. government does not have a uniform policy on QALYs. Some federal agencies are banned from using measurement tools like QALYs, but state Medicaid programs use them.” Chairman Gallegos was quoted as stating, “In our most recent advice to Congress we advise that Congress extend those prohibitions [against the use of the QALY in the ACA] throughout federal programs.” Chairman Gallegos also stated, “The Build Back Better Act is a tremendous opportunity to do so and to memorialize the protections with an unambiguous ban on the use of the QALY.” Click here to view the article (subscription required). Click here to view the NCD letter sent to Congress.
7. Comments Submitted: Patient Advocates Push to Overhaul Oregon Medicaid's 'Prioritized List' for Care
Recently, the Portland Business Journal published an article on how patient advocates are pushing to overhaul Oregon Medicaid's drug list to ensure people with disabilities are not denied care. The article stated, "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1992 denied Oregon’s use of the “quality-adjusted life year” metric as discriminatory.” The article also highlighted that, "Disability rights advocates are pushing Oregon’s Medicaid program to change how it decides which treatments to cover in order to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against and denied services. Since then, Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) sent a letter signed by 55 additional organizations full compliance with ESPDT requirements, a prohibition on the use of discriminatory QALY measures, and non-discrimination in suicide prevention services. Seven national disability rights organizations sent a letter making the same recommendations. Oregon’s Medicaid waiver application, to be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in February, includes changes to advance health equity, while maintaining the coordinated care model Oregon created nearly a decade ago. Click here to read the full article. Click here to view the DRO letter and click here to view the letter from national disability rights organizations. Click here to view the letter from the Epilepsy Foundation.
8. PCORI Board of Governors Meeting
On December 2, 2021, PCORI held a meeting of its Board of Governors. At its meeting, Executive Director Nakela Cook described PCORI’s progress this year advancing the provision in its reauthorizing legislation to consider the full range of outcomes data as part of PCORI-funded research. She described the four key principles that guide PCORI’s approach that were approved by the Board in March 2021. She discussed that PCORI is developing further guidance for applicants and work with the Methodology Committee on the development of relevant standards. She stated that PCORI recently convened a work group of the Board and PCORI senior staff to help define PCORI's position and strategy and integrate it into its Strategic Plan and identified opportunities for PCORI to contribute to solutions that address rising healthcare costs and serve as a resource on patient-centered value.
Additionally, PCORI's Board of Governors approved two slates of research funding awards totaling $49.5 million to support nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies aimed at improving care for adults and children across a range of health conditions. The Board also approved the development and release in 2022 of two Targeted PCORI Funding Announcements. One will fund studies comparing the effectiveness of ways to prevent or treat alcohol use among youth ages 12 through 17, while the other will fund research assessing interventions to prevent, detect early or treat delirium in older adults. Click here to view the meeting transcript.
9. IVI-MDD Value Model Draft Protocol: Public Comment Period is Open!
As part of its Open-Source Value Project, the Innovation and Value Initiative (IVI) is holding a public comment period on the draft model protocol on major depressive disorder from December 14, 2021 – January 25, 2022. IVI held a webinar on Wednesday, December 15th where they outlined the major components of the model protocol and answered initial questions. The model protocol is a technical document that outlines the primary inputs we plan to use in the MDD economic model. The purpose of the public comment period is to obtain feedback in the following three main areas before they finalize the model protocol: (1) Data gaps in key model inputs and potential data sources and partners to address such gaps; (2) Prioritization of data sources and technical approaches, when multiple valid approaches exist; and (3) Potential use cases, particularly how the MDD model can help inform decisions in your organizations. Please submit comments either on letterhead via email at [email protected] or through their online survey form, which allows you to submit comments related to the key questions or to provide general feedback. No anonymous comments will be accepted, and all comments will be published on the website.
10. PIPC and Morning Consult Publish Poll Showing Strong Support for NCD Recommendations to Ban QALYs
Morning Consult ran a poll on behalf of Partnership to Improve Patient Care focusing on the use of cost-effectiveness assessments to determine the value of coverage and treatment costs. The survey found that Americans want patients and their doctors in charge of health care decision making and are opposed to the use of cost assessments such as Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY).
PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho published an opinion piece in Morning Consult about the poll, stating, "Ten years after the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC) released its first public opinion survey, our latest poll released today underscores how vitally important it is for lawmakers to maintain and strengthen safeguards for patients and people with disabilities in all health care policies.” Chairman Coelho was heartened to see the National Council on Disability — an independent federal agency that advises Congress and the administration on disability policy — recently come out with targeted recommendations to strengthen BBBA by including meaningful protections against government use of discriminatory cost-effectiveness thresholds based on the quality-adjusted life year (QALY). He emphasized that this recommendation represents an important step in protecting patients and patients with disabilities. Despite the long history in the United States acknowledging that metrics like QALYs discriminate in violation of disability and civil rights laws, their use is rising —not falling. He concluded that it is time to finally end the ambiguity and prohibit QALYs altogether.
11. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels.
PCORI is currently seeking nominations for appointments to its advisory panels. The advisory panels must include patients or patient advocates. PCORI's staff, board, and methodology committee take advisory panels' recommendations into account when making decisions and determinations. PIPC encourages patients and patient advocates to submit nominations to serve on PCORI's advisory panels, including on the Advisory Panel on Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science, Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement, and Advisory Panel on Rare Disease. Nominations are open through March 31, 2022. Click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
12. DREDF Releases Report Responding to a Flawed ICER Analyses, Instead Finds that QALY Violates Disability Nondiscrimination Law
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund ("DREDF") responded directly to a report commissioned for the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (“ICER”), an organization specializing in clinical cost-effectiveness analyses relying on the QALY, in which its hired legal consultants posit that the use of QALY as a measure of the cost-effectiveness of specific drugs and therapies “poses absolutely no risk of discrimination against any patient group.” DREDF strongly disagrees with this conclusion. In its response, DREDF challenges the factual and legal assumptions of ICER's report and explains how the use of the QALY, even in tandem with alternative measures such as the Equal Value of Life Years Gained (“evLYG”), violates disability nondiscrimination law.
DREDF will join Familia Unida to celebrate National Disabilities Awareness Month and share information about its new report and the ongoing work of the disability community against disability discrimination in healthcare. Click here to view the DREDF report. Click here to view the one-pager. Click here to find summaries in both English and Spanish.
13. Upcoming Opportunity Within the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement at AHRQ
AHRQ will soon be hiring a Senior Staff Service Fellow in CEPI’s Office of the Director to support activities funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCOR TF) under the National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR). The Senior Staff Service Fellow will support AHRQ’s mandated roles under the PCOR TF in evidence dissemination and implementation in primary care as well as of training and capacity building for comparative effectiveness research in primary care settings.
The Senior Staff Service Fellow designs, executes and evaluates projects funded by the PCOR TF to increase the uptake of evidence in primary care including by using new models of primary/ambulatory care delivery, advancing health equity and engaging learning health systems. AHRQ is looking for a team player to lead a multidisciplinary team to design, that leads national initiatives to disseminate and implement PCOR findings related to transforming primary/ambulatory care delivery to make care more equitable and patient-centered including a focus on people living with multiple chronic conditions and other at-risk populations.
This Senior Staff Service Fellow will also advise other members of CEPI and AHRQ on dissemination and implementation activities related to the PCOR TF; supports and aligns ongoing primary care projects across all divisions within the Center as well as across AHRQ. Serves as a recognized expert within the areas of primary care, primary care research and implementation science.
14. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage?
Other countries are often referenced as examples of how the use of QALYs or similar cost-based thresholds impact access to care.
15. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics
Several states are considering policies that would reference entities such as the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), which calls the discriminatory quality-adjusted life year (QALY) the “gold standard” for value assessment, and others are considering policies to import QALY-based coverage and reimbursement decisions from other countries that restrict access to care. Yet, federal policymakers have emphasized that the use of discriminatory metrics is subject to civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. We encourage sharing resources for advocates in key states mentioned below to ensure protections against discrimination!
Other states to watch: Rhode Island and Minnesota are also potential targets for future legislation that could trigger the use of discriminatory QALYs.
Washington State
The Washington State legislature has introduced SB 5532, a bill establishing a prescription drug affordability board. It does not prohibit the use of metrics such as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by the Board as part of its process for conducting an affordability review or in the process for determining which drugs will be made subject to an affordability review, with potential implications for a discriminatory impact in the treatments chosen for payment limits. As described by the National Association of State Health Policy, this legislation is modeled on Canada, which uses QALYs to determine coverage and reimbursement of health care treatments and services. The legislation does bar QALYs as part of the methodology for calculating the “upper payment limit” for drugs selected based on the affordability review. The bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care at 8:00 AM Pacific (11:00am EST). Testimony may be submitted online by clicking here (choose from drop down box Health and Long Term Care Committee and the 3rd listing for 1/19/22 SB 5532 Rx drug affordability board). More information will be provided as this legislation is considered by the legislature.
Oregon
Oregon is applying to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a new five-year Medicaid waiver known as the 1115 Demonstration. The purpose of the waiver is to reform the state’s Medicaid program. Advocates have expressed concern about the state’s ongoing use of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in determining the prioritized list of services under Oregon’s existing waiver. Click here to view the timeline for providing input. Click here to view and sign the letter being circulated by Disability Rights Oregon.
Virginia
Virginia has introduced, SB 376, legislation that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in the State of Virginia, triggering concerns about potential discrimination, according to recent news. It is not clear that these efforts will include provisions to bar discrimination and protect patient access to medications, such as achieved by disability advocates in other states such as Oregon where the legislature barred the use of QALYs in similar Board deliberations.
Maine
Maine is currently considering a piece of legislation, LD 1636, which would import QALYs from Canada. The bill directly references the prices paid for drugs in five Canadian provinces. Before applying for coverage by the provinces, all drugs must complete a Common Drug Review by CADTH, which uses QALYs. The result of this is that in Canada is that many individuals living with disabilities are unable to receive the treatments and care they need. The National Council on Disability (NCD) warned in its 2019 report that similar coverage denials and loss of access to care could also be the outcome if the United States if we reference other countries. The NCD also highlighted in its report that Section 504 of the Rehab Act and Section 1557 of the ACA also apply to Medicaid programs because they receive federal financial assistance.
New Mexico
Recently, the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee endorsed legislation for 2022 consideration creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would review the affordability of prescriptions drugs based on a variety of factors including the “the relative financial impacts to health, medical or social services costs as can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives” which may pose a risk of consideration of QALYs. While the bill explicitly bars consideration of QALYs in the methodology used by the board to establish an upper payment limit for prescription drugs, the affordability review does not bar use of QALYs and could lead to a discriminatory impact by disproportionately subjecting products for people with disabilities to payment limits. According to the legislative calendar, there is little time to engage as legislation may be pre-filed on January 4, 2022 and the session ends on February 17, 2022. We will provide updates as we learn more.
Maryland
The Maryland legislature passed legislation earlier this year creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The legislation did not include protections for patients and people with disabilities such as barring the use of discriminatory QALYs. The Board has begun meeting to hear from stakeholders, including hearing a presentation from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review which relies on QALYs to assess treatment value. Legislation was introduced this year to bar the use of QALYs and implement patient protections that has not advanced in the legislature. On August 3, organizations representing patients and people with disabilities sent a letter urging the Board to avoid policies that would potentially discriminate by relying on discriminatory metrics such as QALYs. Click here to view legislation introduced in Maryland to bar the use of QALYs and implement patient protections - it has not advanced in the legislature.
Colorado
The Governor of Colorado has signed into law SB 21-175, which creates a prescription drug affordability review board. SB 21-75 did include an amendment that prohibits the use of QALYs in the section of the bill that determines an upper payment limit. In some states these types of boards and commissions have referenced value assessments based on QALYs from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). In Massachusetts, the Health Policy Commission went so far as to contract with ICER. In order to mitigate this, it is important that the Board has representation from patients and people with disabilities. The Governor's office is accepting applications for both the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board and the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Council. It is essential that the Board and Advisory Committee include representation from patients and people with disabilities to ensure that that the Board’s deliberations do not include consideration of QALYs and other metrics that may discriminate or lead to restricted access for people with disabilities and chronic conditions or older adults.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts House and Senate have each taken the positive step of introducing An Act Advancing Health Care Research and Decision-Making Centered on Patients and People with Disabilities, H.201 and S.753. This bill would enshrine essential patient protections including a ban on the use of the QALY, a requirement for research to meet patient-centeredness criteria, and robust engagement of the patient and disability communities in health care decision making. H. 201 was heard before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on November 9.
16. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Alzheimer's Disease, Beta Thalassemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia, COVID-19, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Asthma, Unsupported Price Increase, Fair Access: Coverage Policies
The Institute for Clinical Economic Review (ICER) conducts cost effectiveness studies for insurers using the cost-per-QALY methodology. ICER provides guidance on its website for patients and patient advocates to provide direct input related to their experiences with the disease. Click here to provide patient input. Click here to view the topics and deadlines.
17. Upcoming Events and Webinars
Cycle 1 2022 -- Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Outcomes Research PFA Applicant Town Hall
January 18, 2022
Click here for details.
Cycle 1 2022 -- Broad Pragmatic Studies PCORI Funding Announcement Applicant Town Hall
January 21, 2022
Click here for details.
Cycle 1 2022 -- Prevention, Early Identification, and Treatment of Delirium in Older Adults Targeted PFA Applicant Town Hall
January 24, 2022
Click here for details.
18. Medical Journal Articles
“It’s Time to Represent”: Shifting the Paradigm to Improve the Quality of Inputs into Value Assessment Frameworks, click here to view.
Evaluation of Financial Outcomes Under a Value-Based Payment Program for Community Pharmacies, click here to view.
Limited Role of Patient Input in Specialty Drug Coverage Policies, click here to view.
The Importance of Collaboration in Pursuit of Patient-Centered Value Assessment, click here to view.
Toward Better Data Dashboards for US Drug Value Assessments, click here to view.
Prevalence of Avoidable and Bias-Inflicting Methodological Pitfalls in Real-World Studies of Medication Safety and Effectiveness, click here to view.
Association of Co-Pay Elimination with Medication Adherence and Total Cost, click here to view.
The Utility of Patient Engagement in Drug Research and Development, click here to view.
Patient-Powered Research Networks of the Autoimmune Research Collaborative: Rationale, Capacity, and Future Directions, click here to view.
Enhancing Patient Research Partner Engagement: Research in Psoriatic Arthritis, click here to view.
Patient Voices in Value-Based Cancer Care: Priorities for the Biden Administration, click here to view.
The Dollar or Disease Burden: Caps on Healthcare Spending May Save Money, but at What “Cost” to Patients? click here to view.
19. AHRQ Effective Program Updates
Systematic Review: Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for Major Joint Replacement. Click here to view.
Integrated and Comprehensive Pain Management Programs: Effectiveness and Harms. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Management of High-Need, High-Cost Patients: A “Best Fit” Framework Synthesis, Realist Review, and Systematic Review. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Partial Breast Irradiation for Breast Cancer. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Physical Activity and the Health of Wheelchair Users: A Systematic Review in Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Cord Injury. Click here to view.
Research Report: Developing and Piloting a Tool to Create Dot Plots to Summarize Pooled Data for Multiple Outcomes in Systematic Reviews. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Malnutrition in Hospitalized Adults. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Nutrition as Prevention for Improved Cancer Outcomes. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Telehealth During COVID-19. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Update of the PTSD Repository Evidence Base. Click here to view.
Scrutiny of the Oregon waiver and its “prioritized list of services” was further explored in a recent article in Oregon’s Lund Report. The article states, "Now, as the state seeks to renew federal approval of the Oregon Health Plan’s specialized waiver from Medicaid requirements, the state’s alone-in-the-nation approach toward children’s benefits has become a target for parents, providers and advocates. National advocates have also put a public spotlight on Oregon.” The article further states, "When the system fails, children fall through the cracks.” The article quoted a recent letter to the state from the Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, a state public health agency, calling the approach “fundamentally racist” and “unacceptable.” The article also quoted Joan Alker, Medicaid policy researcher and executive director at the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, who said, "Oregon is the only state in the country that has this broad waiver of (the federal children’s health requirement), and there’s simply no good reason at all for it, and it needs to go away.” Click here to view the article.
2. New Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement: Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
On Tuesday, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) released the Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Mental Health in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement (Targeted PFA). This Targeted PFA aims to fund high-quality, rigorous randomized controlled trials or observational, prospective cohort studies that compare the effectiveness of evidence-based approaches (e.g., specific pharmacological and behavioral interventions) that address mental health conditions in individuals with IDD. Proposed studies should compare the effectiveness of pharmacological, behavioral, or other nonpharmacological or combination interventions administered via appropriate delivery modalities (e.g., telehealth, family-based, group, or individual).
Studies focused on pediatric, transitional age, and adult individuals with mild to moderate IDD-related impairment, those with more severe impairment due to IDDs, underrepresented groups, and underserved populations (e.g., individuals in rural settings) are of particular interest.
Here is the funding announcement for more information about this Targeted PFA and register for the town hall on January 31, 2022 at noon (ET).
3. On the Podcast: Chronic Disease Care at Risk in Oregon
States are like dominos. When one state enacts a health policy, others replicate. Oregon’s Medicaid draft 1115 waiver has several red flags for patient healthcare access, and all patients should watch this carefully. Meghan Moyer, the public policy director at Disability Rights Oregon, explains why the waiver is a concern for chronic and rare disease patients. From discriminatory healthcare metrics that determine coverage to a closed formulary that would hinder access to FDA accelerated approval drugs, it’s filled with problems for patients. Click here to listen to the podcast.
4. PCORI's Proposed Research Agenda: Public Comment Period is Open!
PCORI has launched the public comment period on its proposed Research Agenda, which will provide the framework for PCORI’s future funding of comparative clinical effectiveness research and other research initiatives. It stems from the five National Priorities for Health adopted by PCORI’s Board of Governors in October.
The proposed Research Agenda states PCORI will fund research in six areas of focus. More details on the types of projects that could be included in each area of focus are available on PCORI’s website and an associated blog.
Comments from a variety of perspectives, including yours and your communities’, are vital for ensuring PCORI’s Research Agenda will help meet the needs of all healthcare decision makers for years to come. The public comment period is open through January 31, 2022. Read more about the proposed Research Agenda and how to submit comments on PCORI’s website.
5. PIPC Holds 12th Annual Forum: The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy.
The 12th Annual PIPC Forum on The Call to Action to Bar Reference to Discriminatory Metrics in U.S. Health Pricing and Coverage Policy, focused on the recommendation of the National Council on Disability (NCD) for an unambiguous ban on the quality adjusted life year (QALY) within the text of the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5367), as well as the increasing reference to comparative and cost effectiveness assessments in determining reimbursement, coverage, and programs at the state and federal level. Click here to view the forum.
The Chairman of the National Council on Disability, Andrés Gallegos, stated, “In our most recent advice to Congress we advise that Congress extend those prohibitions [prohibitions against the use of the QALY in the ACA] throughout federal programs. The Build Back Better Act is a tremendous opportunity to do so and to memorialize the protections with an unambiguous ban on the use of the QALY. We remain hopeful that our advice will be heeded as we all await the final text of that bill.”
6. IHP: Disability Agency Urges Congress to Ban QALYs In All Federal Programs
Inside Health Policy highlighted statements made by the Chairman of the National Council on Disability (NCD) at the annual PIPC Forum. The article stated, "After getting the Senate Finance Committee to ban Medicare from using a common metric for appraising drug prices, the government agency National Council on Disability is asking Congress to use the Build Back Better bill to prohibit the use of the quality-adjusted life years metric in all government programs.” The article stated that the NCD sent a letter to Congress encouraging the inclusion of a QALY ban within the bill that applies to all Medicare price negotiation and that is extended to all government programs. The article highlighted that the "U.S. government does not have a uniform policy on QALYs. Some federal agencies are banned from using measurement tools like QALYs, but state Medicaid programs use them.” Chairman Gallegos was quoted as stating, “In our most recent advice to Congress we advise that Congress extend those prohibitions [against the use of the QALY in the ACA] throughout federal programs.” Chairman Gallegos also stated, “The Build Back Better Act is a tremendous opportunity to do so and to memorialize the protections with an unambiguous ban on the use of the QALY.” Click here to view the article (subscription required). Click here to view the NCD letter sent to Congress.
7. Comments Submitted: Patient Advocates Push to Overhaul Oregon Medicaid's 'Prioritized List' for Care
Recently, the Portland Business Journal published an article on how patient advocates are pushing to overhaul Oregon Medicaid's drug list to ensure people with disabilities are not denied care. The article stated, "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1992 denied Oregon’s use of the “quality-adjusted life year” metric as discriminatory.” The article also highlighted that, "Disability rights advocates are pushing Oregon’s Medicaid program to change how it decides which treatments to cover in order to ensure that people with disabilities are not discriminated against and denied services. Since then, Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) sent a letter signed by 55 additional organizations full compliance with ESPDT requirements, a prohibition on the use of discriminatory QALY measures, and non-discrimination in suicide prevention services. Seven national disability rights organizations sent a letter making the same recommendations. Oregon’s Medicaid waiver application, to be submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in February, includes changes to advance health equity, while maintaining the coordinated care model Oregon created nearly a decade ago. Click here to read the full article. Click here to view the DRO letter and click here to view the letter from national disability rights organizations. Click here to view the letter from the Epilepsy Foundation.
8. PCORI Board of Governors Meeting
On December 2, 2021, PCORI held a meeting of its Board of Governors. At its meeting, Executive Director Nakela Cook described PCORI’s progress this year advancing the provision in its reauthorizing legislation to consider the full range of outcomes data as part of PCORI-funded research. She described the four key principles that guide PCORI’s approach that were approved by the Board in March 2021. She discussed that PCORI is developing further guidance for applicants and work with the Methodology Committee on the development of relevant standards. She stated that PCORI recently convened a work group of the Board and PCORI senior staff to help define PCORI's position and strategy and integrate it into its Strategic Plan and identified opportunities for PCORI to contribute to solutions that address rising healthcare costs and serve as a resource on patient-centered value.
Additionally, PCORI's Board of Governors approved two slates of research funding awards totaling $49.5 million to support nine new comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies aimed at improving care for adults and children across a range of health conditions. The Board also approved the development and release in 2022 of two Targeted PCORI Funding Announcements. One will fund studies comparing the effectiveness of ways to prevent or treat alcohol use among youth ages 12 through 17, while the other will fund research assessing interventions to prevent, detect early or treat delirium in older adults. Click here to view the meeting transcript.
9. IVI-MDD Value Model Draft Protocol: Public Comment Period is Open!
As part of its Open-Source Value Project, the Innovation and Value Initiative (IVI) is holding a public comment period on the draft model protocol on major depressive disorder from December 14, 2021 – January 25, 2022. IVI held a webinar on Wednesday, December 15th where they outlined the major components of the model protocol and answered initial questions. The model protocol is a technical document that outlines the primary inputs we plan to use in the MDD economic model. The purpose of the public comment period is to obtain feedback in the following three main areas before they finalize the model protocol: (1) Data gaps in key model inputs and potential data sources and partners to address such gaps; (2) Prioritization of data sources and technical approaches, when multiple valid approaches exist; and (3) Potential use cases, particularly how the MDD model can help inform decisions in your organizations. Please submit comments either on letterhead via email at [email protected] or through their online survey form, which allows you to submit comments related to the key questions or to provide general feedback. No anonymous comments will be accepted, and all comments will be published on the website.
10. PIPC and Morning Consult Publish Poll Showing Strong Support for NCD Recommendations to Ban QALYs
Morning Consult ran a poll on behalf of Partnership to Improve Patient Care focusing on the use of cost-effectiveness assessments to determine the value of coverage and treatment costs. The survey found that Americans want patients and their doctors in charge of health care decision making and are opposed to the use of cost assessments such as Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY).
PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho published an opinion piece in Morning Consult about the poll, stating, "Ten years after the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC) released its first public opinion survey, our latest poll released today underscores how vitally important it is for lawmakers to maintain and strengthen safeguards for patients and people with disabilities in all health care policies.” Chairman Coelho was heartened to see the National Council on Disability — an independent federal agency that advises Congress and the administration on disability policy — recently come out with targeted recommendations to strengthen BBBA by including meaningful protections against government use of discriminatory cost-effectiveness thresholds based on the quality-adjusted life year (QALY). He emphasized that this recommendation represents an important step in protecting patients and patients with disabilities. Despite the long history in the United States acknowledging that metrics like QALYs discriminate in violation of disability and civil rights laws, their use is rising —not falling. He concluded that it is time to finally end the ambiguity and prohibit QALYs altogether.
11. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels.
PCORI is currently seeking nominations for appointments to its advisory panels. The advisory panels must include patients or patient advocates. PCORI's staff, board, and methodology committee take advisory panels' recommendations into account when making decisions and determinations. PIPC encourages patients and patient advocates to submit nominations to serve on PCORI's advisory panels, including on the Advisory Panel on Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science, Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement, and Advisory Panel on Rare Disease. Nominations are open through March 31, 2022. Click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
12. DREDF Releases Report Responding to a Flawed ICER Analyses, Instead Finds that QALY Violates Disability Nondiscrimination Law
The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund ("DREDF") responded directly to a report commissioned for the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (“ICER”), an organization specializing in clinical cost-effectiveness analyses relying on the QALY, in which its hired legal consultants posit that the use of QALY as a measure of the cost-effectiveness of specific drugs and therapies “poses absolutely no risk of discrimination against any patient group.” DREDF strongly disagrees with this conclusion. In its response, DREDF challenges the factual and legal assumptions of ICER's report and explains how the use of the QALY, even in tandem with alternative measures such as the Equal Value of Life Years Gained (“evLYG”), violates disability nondiscrimination law.
DREDF will join Familia Unida to celebrate National Disabilities Awareness Month and share information about its new report and the ongoing work of the disability community against disability discrimination in healthcare. Click here to view the DREDF report. Click here to view the one-pager. Click here to find summaries in both English and Spanish.
13. Upcoming Opportunity Within the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement at AHRQ
AHRQ will soon be hiring a Senior Staff Service Fellow in CEPI’s Office of the Director to support activities funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCOR TF) under the National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR). The Senior Staff Service Fellow will support AHRQ’s mandated roles under the PCOR TF in evidence dissemination and implementation in primary care as well as of training and capacity building for comparative effectiveness research in primary care settings.
The Senior Staff Service Fellow designs, executes and evaluates projects funded by the PCOR TF to increase the uptake of evidence in primary care including by using new models of primary/ambulatory care delivery, advancing health equity and engaging learning health systems. AHRQ is looking for a team player to lead a multidisciplinary team to design, that leads national initiatives to disseminate and implement PCOR findings related to transforming primary/ambulatory care delivery to make care more equitable and patient-centered including a focus on people living with multiple chronic conditions and other at-risk populations.
This Senior Staff Service Fellow will also advise other members of CEPI and AHRQ on dissemination and implementation activities related to the PCOR TF; supports and aligns ongoing primary care projects across all divisions within the Center as well as across AHRQ. Serves as a recognized expert within the areas of primary care, primary care research and implementation science.
14. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage?
Other countries are often referenced as examples of how the use of QALYs or similar cost-based thresholds impact access to care.
- New Zealand: Rugby club is rallying behind a teammate with liver cancer as they raise funds to help him pay for Keytruda, a lifesaving immunotherapy drug, which Pharmac does not cover.
- United Kingdom: NICE is issuing guidance to reject the use of Lynparza, a life-extending drug, for prostate cancer due to cost-effectiveness reasons for NHS. Prostate cancer advocates are raising concern that other life-extending drugs will be held back in the future.
15. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics
Several states are considering policies that would reference entities such as the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER), which calls the discriminatory quality-adjusted life year (QALY) the “gold standard” for value assessment, and others are considering policies to import QALY-based coverage and reimbursement decisions from other countries that restrict access to care. Yet, federal policymakers have emphasized that the use of discriminatory metrics is subject to civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. We encourage sharing resources for advocates in key states mentioned below to ensure protections against discrimination!
- Click here to learn more about the potential for Prescription Drug Affordability Boards to discriminate by incorporating the use of QALYS.
- Click here to view the Value Our Health state template legislation that would protect people with disabilities and chronic conditions from the use of QALYs and similar metrics developed by third parties such as ICER in decisions related to reimbursement and coverage, as well as ensure their engagement in decision-making.
- Click here to view a one pager about the flaws in ICER’s methodology.
- Click here to view information from experts on the downside of referencing foreign countries.
- Click here to learn about statutory protections against use of QALYs.
Other states to watch: Rhode Island and Minnesota are also potential targets for future legislation that could trigger the use of discriminatory QALYs.
Washington State
The Washington State legislature has introduced SB 5532, a bill establishing a prescription drug affordability board. It does not prohibit the use of metrics such as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by the Board as part of its process for conducting an affordability review or in the process for determining which drugs will be made subject to an affordability review, with potential implications for a discriminatory impact in the treatments chosen for payment limits. As described by the National Association of State Health Policy, this legislation is modeled on Canada, which uses QALYs to determine coverage and reimbursement of health care treatments and services. The legislation does bar QALYs as part of the methodology for calculating the “upper payment limit” for drugs selected based on the affordability review. The bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care at 8:00 AM Pacific (11:00am EST). Testimony may be submitted online by clicking here (choose from drop down box Health and Long Term Care Committee and the 3rd listing for 1/19/22 SB 5532 Rx drug affordability board). More information will be provided as this legislation is considered by the legislature.
Oregon
Oregon is applying to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a new five-year Medicaid waiver known as the 1115 Demonstration. The purpose of the waiver is to reform the state’s Medicaid program. Advocates have expressed concern about the state’s ongoing use of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in determining the prioritized list of services under Oregon’s existing waiver. Click here to view the timeline for providing input. Click here to view and sign the letter being circulated by Disability Rights Oregon.
Virginia
Virginia has introduced, SB 376, legislation that would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in the State of Virginia, triggering concerns about potential discrimination, according to recent news. It is not clear that these efforts will include provisions to bar discrimination and protect patient access to medications, such as achieved by disability advocates in other states such as Oregon where the legislature barred the use of QALYs in similar Board deliberations.
Maine
Maine is currently considering a piece of legislation, LD 1636, which would import QALYs from Canada. The bill directly references the prices paid for drugs in five Canadian provinces. Before applying for coverage by the provinces, all drugs must complete a Common Drug Review by CADTH, which uses QALYs. The result of this is that in Canada is that many individuals living with disabilities are unable to receive the treatments and care they need. The National Council on Disability (NCD) warned in its 2019 report that similar coverage denials and loss of access to care could also be the outcome if the United States if we reference other countries. The NCD also highlighted in its report that Section 504 of the Rehab Act and Section 1557 of the ACA also apply to Medicaid programs because they receive federal financial assistance.
New Mexico
Recently, the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee endorsed legislation for 2022 consideration creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would review the affordability of prescriptions drugs based on a variety of factors including the “the relative financial impacts to health, medical or social services costs as can be quantified and compared to baseline effects of existing therapeutic alternatives” which may pose a risk of consideration of QALYs. While the bill explicitly bars consideration of QALYs in the methodology used by the board to establish an upper payment limit for prescription drugs, the affordability review does not bar use of QALYs and could lead to a discriminatory impact by disproportionately subjecting products for people with disabilities to payment limits. According to the legislative calendar, there is little time to engage as legislation may be pre-filed on January 4, 2022 and the session ends on February 17, 2022. We will provide updates as we learn more.
Maryland
The Maryland legislature passed legislation earlier this year creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board. The legislation did not include protections for patients and people with disabilities such as barring the use of discriminatory QALYs. The Board has begun meeting to hear from stakeholders, including hearing a presentation from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review which relies on QALYs to assess treatment value. Legislation was introduced this year to bar the use of QALYs and implement patient protections that has not advanced in the legislature. On August 3, organizations representing patients and people with disabilities sent a letter urging the Board to avoid policies that would potentially discriminate by relying on discriminatory metrics such as QALYs. Click here to view legislation introduced in Maryland to bar the use of QALYs and implement patient protections - it has not advanced in the legislature.
Colorado
The Governor of Colorado has signed into law SB 21-175, which creates a prescription drug affordability review board. SB 21-75 did include an amendment that prohibits the use of QALYs in the section of the bill that determines an upper payment limit. In some states these types of boards and commissions have referenced value assessments based on QALYs from the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER). In Massachusetts, the Health Policy Commission went so far as to contract with ICER. In order to mitigate this, it is important that the Board has representation from patients and people with disabilities. The Governor's office is accepting applications for both the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board and the Colorado Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Council. It is essential that the Board and Advisory Committee include representation from patients and people with disabilities to ensure that that the Board’s deliberations do not include consideration of QALYs and other metrics that may discriminate or lead to restricted access for people with disabilities and chronic conditions or older adults.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts House and Senate have each taken the positive step of introducing An Act Advancing Health Care Research and Decision-Making Centered on Patients and People with Disabilities, H.201 and S.753. This bill would enshrine essential patient protections including a ban on the use of the QALY, a requirement for research to meet patient-centeredness criteria, and robust engagement of the patient and disability communities in health care decision making. H. 201 was heard before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing on November 9.
16. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Alzheimer's Disease, Beta Thalassemia, Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia, COVID-19, Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Asthma, Unsupported Price Increase, Fair Access: Coverage Policies
The Institute for Clinical Economic Review (ICER) conducts cost effectiveness studies for insurers using the cost-per-QALY methodology. ICER provides guidance on its website for patients and patient advocates to provide direct input related to their experiences with the disease. Click here to provide patient input. Click here to view the topics and deadlines.
- Alzheimer's Disease: Draft Scoping Document available. Public Comments open through 1/19/2022. 2/3/2022: Research Protocol. 3/23/2022: Model Analysis Plan.
- Beta Thalassemia: Research Protocol available. Revised Scoping Document available. 2/28/2022: Model Analysis Plan. 4/13/2022: Draft Evidence Report.
- Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: Model Analysis Plan available. Draft Scoping Document and Research Protocol available. 1/25/2022: Draft Evidence Report.
- COVID-19: Model Analysis Plan available. Draft Scoping Document and Research Protocol available. 2/3/2022: Draft Evidence Report.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence Report available. Draft Scoping Document and Research Protocol available. Meeting 1/20/2022: Deliberation and vote on evidence presented in ICER's report on therapies for Type 2 Diabetes. 2/15/2022: Final Evidence Report and Meeting Summary.
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Final Evidence Report and Meeting Summary available. Evidence Report Available. Evidence Presentation available.
- Unsupported Price Increase: Final Report available.
- Asthma: Final Evidence Report and Meeting Summary available. Evidence Presentation available. Evidence Report available.
- Fair Access: Coverage Policies in 2020: Protocol Available. Final Report available.
17. Upcoming Events and Webinars
Cycle 1 2022 -- Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Outcomes Research PFA Applicant Town Hall
January 18, 2022
Click here for details.
Cycle 1 2022 -- Broad Pragmatic Studies PCORI Funding Announcement Applicant Town Hall
January 21, 2022
Click here for details.
Cycle 1 2022 -- Prevention, Early Identification, and Treatment of Delirium in Older Adults Targeted PFA Applicant Town Hall
January 24, 2022
Click here for details.
18. Medical Journal Articles
“It’s Time to Represent”: Shifting the Paradigm to Improve the Quality of Inputs into Value Assessment Frameworks, click here to view.
Evaluation of Financial Outcomes Under a Value-Based Payment Program for Community Pharmacies, click here to view.
Limited Role of Patient Input in Specialty Drug Coverage Policies, click here to view.
The Importance of Collaboration in Pursuit of Patient-Centered Value Assessment, click here to view.
Toward Better Data Dashboards for US Drug Value Assessments, click here to view.
Prevalence of Avoidable and Bias-Inflicting Methodological Pitfalls in Real-World Studies of Medication Safety and Effectiveness, click here to view.
Association of Co-Pay Elimination with Medication Adherence and Total Cost, click here to view.
The Utility of Patient Engagement in Drug Research and Development, click here to view.
Patient-Powered Research Networks of the Autoimmune Research Collaborative: Rationale, Capacity, and Future Directions, click here to view.
Enhancing Patient Research Partner Engagement: Research in Psoriatic Arthritis, click here to view.
Patient Voices in Value-Based Cancer Care: Priorities for the Biden Administration, click here to view.
The Dollar or Disease Burden: Caps on Healthcare Spending May Save Money, but at What “Cost” to Patients? click here to view.
19. AHRQ Effective Program Updates
Systematic Review: Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for Major Joint Replacement. Click here to view.
Integrated and Comprehensive Pain Management Programs: Effectiveness and Harms. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Management of High-Need, High-Cost Patients: A “Best Fit” Framework Synthesis, Realist Review, and Systematic Review. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Partial Breast Irradiation for Breast Cancer. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Physical Activity and the Health of Wheelchair Users: A Systematic Review in Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Cord Injury. Click here to view.
Research Report: Developing and Piloting a Tool to Create Dot Plots to Summarize Pooled Data for Multiple Outcomes in Systematic Reviews. Click here to view.
Systematic Review: Malnutrition in Hospitalized Adults. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Nutrition as Prevention for Improved Cancer Outcomes. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Telehealth During COVID-19. Click here to view.
Research Protocol: Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Update of the PTSD Repository Evidence Base. Click here to view.
