The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) was created in 2010 as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is a government-sponsored research organization conducting outcomes research, which identifies the relative effectiveness of various medical treatments. PCORI’s research is very different from what is done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is generally focused on basic research. PCORI’s work is particularly important to patients because PCORI uses evidence-based data to empower patients to make informed decisions about treatments for their medical condition.
Unfortunately, PCORI is only authorized to operate through November 21, and we need Congress to act in order to keep this vital research on-going. Earlier this month, Senators Cassidy (R-LA), Capito (R-WV), Warner (D-VA), and Van Hollen (D-MD) released a discussion draft of their bipartisan legislation to continue PCORI for the next ten years. Specifically, the legislation calls for PCORI to “maintain its commitment to robust and meaningful patient engagement, including in the selection of national priority topics and research questions and emphasize building patient capacity to engage in PCORI activities.”
While the legislation is bipartisan and would likely pass in the Senate, this is a particularly turbulent and hectic legislative period. It is vital that senators hear from constituents in order to ensure that this legislation comes to the floor for a vote before the November 21 deadline. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance asks that you call or email both of your senators asking that they support the reauthorization of PCORI before it expires on November 21. Let them know that you believe patients need science-based information to make informed decisions about their health care and that this is consistent with PCORI’s mission.
To contact your senators, click here and use the drop-down menus.