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, 16 (6%) of AHRQ staff will be retained including 7 (3%) who are exempt (their activities or position are already funded or otherwise exempt) and 9 (3%) 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 7 (3%) AHRQ staff will be exempt. This includes PCORTF staff, who will continue to oversee all activities related to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund.

Excepted Staff:

A total of 9 (3%) AHRQ staff are considered excepted and can legally continue their activities in the absence of appropriations. These staff fall into the category of those whose work is "necessarily implied" from the authorized continuation of other activities or the need to phase down and suspend operations.

These AHRQ staff, including the Director, the Executive Officer, CFO and Budget Officer, and the Director of Congressional Affairs will continue to work as necessary to ensure the orderly phase down and suspension of non-funded activities. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officers will also continue working under this exception.