PIPC Supports New Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Bill

Rep. Schrader, New Democrats advance patient-centered CER

WASHINGTON, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Joining Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) and other Members of the New Democrat Coalition, Tony Coelho, chairman of the Partnership to Improve Patient Care (PIPC), spoke with reporters and announced PIPC’s support for the Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2009.

“This bill represents an important step forward for patients and caregivers, and I look forward to supporting Congressman Schrader and the other cosponsors to advance patient-centered CER,” Mr. Coelho said. “As Congress works to reform our current healthcare system, I am encouraged that leaders in this debate are advancing legislation that focuses on the most important aspect of healthcare – the patient.”

“Learning what works in healthcare is an essential element of healthcare reform,” said Rep. Schrader. “The Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2009 will help make sure patients and doctors have the right information at the right time to make the best health care decisions. This will lead to better quality and better value in health care.”

Along with Representative Schrader and Mr. Coelho in announcing the new legislation were Congressman Ron Kind (WI-3) and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (PA-13).

Mr. Coelho noted that the Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2009 was modeled on similar legislation introduced last year by Senators Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Max Baucus (D-MT), which includes many important elements of CER policy that is focused on patient care and quality improvement. The Comparative Effectiveness Research Act of 2009 creates a private, independent Institute to support comparative clinical effectiveness research, and includes provisions to focus the Institute on communicating results to patients and providers, ensure openness and transparency, and define a research agenda centered on patient and provider information needs.

About PIPC

The Partnership to Improve Patient Care was formed in November 2008 to support new comparative effectiveness research proposals that are centered on patient and provider needs; raise awareness about the value of well-designed CER; and promote the important role of continued medical innovation as part of the solution to cost and quality challenges in health care. Partnership members include a wide range of healthcare organizations representing patient, provider and industry advocacy groups.

SOURCE Partnership to Improve Patient Care