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Comparative Effectiveness

Researchers and policymakers agree there often is insufficient information on what medical treatments work best.  To address this issue, BCBSA strongly urges Congress to pass legislation creating a new institute that would support research comparing the clinical effectiveness of new and existing procedures, drugs, devices, and biologics.

Development of a comparative effectiveness entity should be based on four key principles:

• The institute should be an independent, federally chartered, not-for-profit organization to ensure that political pressures are not a factor in its decision-making;
• Stable funding should be ensured by having all payers contribute– both government and private;
• The institute should support a broad range of research, including clinical trials; and 
• Significant education programs and incentives are needed to ensure the research improves clinical practice.

 

Every day providers and patients must make important decisions without as much information as they might like on how different treatment options compare.  It is critical that we find what works best and put it into practice – and a national effort to increase the amount of comparative effectiveness research being performed will help to achieve this goal.