HHS agency responsible for health care quality research threatened with mass layoffs AHRQ may be next DOGE target

https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/20/hhs-ahrq-agency-responsible-for-health-care-quality-research-threatened-with-mass-layoffs/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_vTr0aiQ4Dg8E8qrpiNTpjqY1-bYqpLdVMrmbRKJ78TMEOhvvZxQPz2N0mepT7yBlHi3oM051VzpvqZkyIvO2eDE4YRg&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email DOGE targeting layoffs for HHS research agency A small sliver of the Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on health care quality, outcomes and cost is the latest agency to sit in the crosshairs of Musk’s U.S. DOGE Service. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has about 300 employees and a budget of $369 million, but employees told STAT’s John Wilkerson that the staff could soon be reduced by 80% or 90% after DOGE cuts. AHRQ does the kind of research that fits well with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader health plans — investigating chronic disease and obesity and pushing insurers to cover free mammograms. Kennedy even glowingly spoke about plans to work with AHRQ during his confirmation hearing. Read John Wilkerson’s story for more. https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/20/hhs-ahrq-agency-responsible-for-health-care-quality-research-threatened-with-mass-layoffs/?utm_campaign=morning_rounds&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_fineeoXmdyI85W5RL3nh2VvB2yUITeZrIMGgoNVCCGcn_ebOSpPN2uUIRo0bnsETU4x5il5OMLKf4vwjGG906jECIjg&_hsmi=352920979&utm_content=352920979&utm_source=hs_email