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Last Revised: 04/20/09

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research (CER) funds to be awarded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services agency (DHHS).

CER is a rigorous evaluation or comparison of different treatment, health care delivery and health system options.

HCA has created an FAQ overview of CER Funding.
Information on HCA activities related to CER funding.

Washington’s current health reform efforts rely on unbiased research. Three years ago, Governor Gregoire, with the support of Washington’s Legislature, requested the Health Care Authority (HCA) implement the health technology assessment program as part of her five-point health care strategy that includes the use of evidence based medicine.

The Governor also co-chaired a Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access in 2007 that included recommendations to use evidence to reduce variability of results and money wasted on ineffective or harmful tests and treatments.

HCA works with other health agencies on several programs that use reliable medical evidence to make better health policy decisions, including the:

• Prescription Drug Program
• Health Technology Assessment
• Patient Decision Aid/Shared Decision Making Pilot Project
• Other collaborative projects to use evidence to identify guidelines and treatment protocols for high priority conditions.

Washington State has experience developing and using reliable health care research. Our goal is to share what we have learned to and contribute to setting CER national priorities. The Health Care Authority has been designated as the lead agency to monitor, provide input, and track any potential CER benefit or funding opportunities for Washington State. We are committed to a transparent and accountable process, and will update information on CER activities regularly.

Direct information about federal recovery activities is available at CER Programs or HHS.gov/Recovery.