Federal Coordinating Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research to Hold Public...

Federal Coordinating Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research to Hold
Public Listening Session in Washington, DC

Council Will Hear Public Comments on Comparative Effectiveness Research
Priorities in the Recovery Act

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federal Coordinating
Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research will hold a public listening
session on April 14, 2009, in Washington, DC. The council will hear public
comment regarding comparative effectiveness research and the Coordinating
Council's activities.

"The Obama Administration is committed to openness and transparency," said HHS
Spokeswoman Jenny Backus. "Comparative effectiveness research will expand
choices for patients, not limit them, and the Council looks forward to hearing
from all parties as it moves ahead."

Individuals interested in addressing the council may nominate themselves to
deliver a three minute oral presentation before the council. Individuals and
organizations may also submit written comments for the Council's
consideration. The public may also attend the session, listen live via audio
conference or watch the session online at www.hhs.gov/recovery.

The 15-member council, created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009, will assist the agencies of the federal government, including HHS and
the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, as well as others, to
coordinate comparative effectiveness and related health services research.
The Recovery Act appropriated $300 million for the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality, $400 million for the National Institutes of Health, and
$400 million for allocation at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and
Human Services to support comparative effectiveness research.

The Council will provide input on priorities for the $400 million fund in the
Recovery Act that the Secretary will allocate to advance this type of research
and public input will shape the Council's recommendations. The Council will
not make final decisions about the kind of projects that will be funded.

To register to attend the listening session, nominate a person to make a
3-minute oral statement, and/or submit a written statement for the
Coordinating Council's consideration, go to
http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/CER/index.html. Individuals should
register by Monday, April 13, at 5:00 PM, EDT. Space and audio conference
lines are limited.

DATE:Tuesday, April 14, 2009
LOCATION: Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 800
200 Independence Avenue
Washington, DC, 20201
TIME:2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

HHS Press Office, +1-202-690-6343