November 12, 1999

Senate Passes AHCPR Reauthorization

The Senate passed the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) reauthorization bill, S. 580, by unanimous consent Nov. 3. The bill, titled the "Healthcare Research and Quality Act of 1999, was amended to reflect changes worked out in a "pre-conference" agreement after it was passed by the House Sept. 28 (see Washington Highlights, Oct. 1). The bill, as passed by the Senate, reauthorizes the agency for five years and changes its name to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The amendments adopted from the House-passed version and added to S. 580 include: an emphasis on research regarding the delivery of health care to disadvantaged populations by establishing an Office of Priority Populations and an authorization for funding direct and indirect graduate medical education at children's hospitals. The Senate-passed bill is expected to be considered by the House under unanimous consent before close of the session and sent to the president to be enacted.

Information: Erica Froyd, AAMC Office of Governmental Relations, 202-828-0525.