DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FISCAL YEAR
2004
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Justification of Estimates for Appropriations Committees
Organization of the Document
The following is a brief description of the organization and purpose of the components of the FY 2004 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) budget submission. The structure is based on AHRQ's three budget activities: Research on Health Care Costs, Quality and Outcomes; the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey; and Program Support. Overview of the FY 2004 Request This section describes AHRQ's mission and includes a short summary of the FY 2004 request, including a discussion of the Secretarial Initiatives, and information on how AHRQ's research helps people. Research on Health Care Costs, Quality and Outcomes This section serves two purposes: $ The first component, entitled "Purpose and Method of Operation," describes research already funded or about to be funded in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The structure of this section is based on the three goals in AHRQ's strategic plan, with special sections added to describe our commitment to improving health for priority populations and to discuss dissemination and training activities that support all three strategic plan goals. $ The second component, entitled "Rationale for FY 2004 Request," describes research that AHRQ plans to fund at the FY 2004 request level. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) This section serves two purposes: $ The first component, entitled "Purpose and Method of Operation," provides some background information and describes MEPS activities in fiscal years 2002 and 2003. It also includes an outline of the surveys that comprise the total MEPS. $ The second component, entitled "Rationale for FY 2004 Request," describes activities that AHRQ plans to support at the FY 2004 request level. Program Support This section also includes two components, "Purpose and Method of Operation," which describes support activities in fiscal years 2002 and 2003, and "Rationale for FY 2004 Request" which describes activities that AHRQ plans to carry out at the FY 2004 request level. Supporting Tables Standardized tables are included containing financial and legislative information. Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Provided under a separate tab, this section provides AHRQ's GPRA annual plans and reports.

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