Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Topics on this page: Summary of Activities that Continue | Summary of Contingency Staffing Plan

Summary of Activities that Continue

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will continue activities funded through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF). PCORTF activities are focused on building data capacity for conducting patient-centered outcomes research designed to produce new scientific evidence that better informs and supports health care decisions of both providers and patients.

Summary of Contingency Staffing Plan

In the event of a lapse of appropriations, 37 (13%) of AHRQ staff will be retained including 26 (9%) who are exempt (their activities or position are already funded or otherwise exempt) and 11 (4%) who are excepted (their activities are deemed necessary by implication, or for the safely of human life or protection of property).

Exempt Staff:

A total of 26 (9%) AHRQ staff will be exempt. This includes PCORTF staff, who will continue to oversee all activities related to the PCORTF.

Excepted Staff:

A total of 11 (4%) AHRQ staff are considered excepted and can legally continue their activities in the absence of appropriations. Five Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officers will continue working under this exception. Six additional AHRQ staff fall into the category of those whose work is "necessarily implied" from the authorized continuation of or the need to phase down other activities.

These seven AHRQ staff, including the Director, Deputy Director, Executive Officer, CFO/Budget Officer, Director of Office of Communications, Senior Advisor, and the Director of Congressional Affairs will continue to work as necessary to ensure the orderly phase down and suspension of non-funded activities.