Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) advises the federal Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on policy developments in health, disability, human services, data, science and economic policy. For journalists, the ASPE conducts research and evaluation studies on health insurance and the uninsured and publishes estimates on the cost and benefits of policy alternatives.
Rural Health Research Gateway provides access to research from the Rural Health Research Centers for policymakers, educators, public health workers and hospital administrators. The federal Office of Rural Health Policy provides funding for the gateway.
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a division of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration that sends providers to deliver primary care, dentistry services and mental health care to areas where health professionals are in short supply. In 2020, NHSC sent some 14,000 providers to underserved areas.
The Congressional Research Service serves as shared staff to congressional committees and members of Congress. Its experts assist members of Congress in all parts of the legislative process, including developing legislation and the oversight of enacted laws. A division of the Library of Congress, the agency says its experts examine all sides of an issue when analyzing policies and the effects of policy proposals.
National Drug Code Directory. The FDA publishes a list of all drugs sold in the United States in the NDC Directory, and the FDA provides an update to the list every day. The Drug Listing Act of 1972 requires drug companies to provide the FDA with a list of all drugs sold to that each prescription drug in common use has an NDC number.
Medicaid Data on the National Average Drug Acquisition Costs (NADAC). The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publishes reference data every week from NADAC dating back to November 2013 and through the current week. For information on how to use NADAC data, see the What’s It Cost? Start with NADAC page from 46Brooklyn Research, a non-profit that curates information on drug prices.
The National Council on Disability is NCD is an independent federal agency charged with advising the President, Congress, and other federal agencies regarding policies, programs, practices, and procedures that affect people with disabilities.
The CMS Innovation Center. Formerly known as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the CMS Innovation Center lists and explains various payment and service delivery models designed to improve to care for patients and cut costs. It publishes frequent reports on CMS’ demonstration projects and its databased is searchable.
National Academy of Medicine. Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine, NAM is a private, nonprofit institution that is one of three academies that make up the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (known as the National Academies). NAM works outside of government to provide objective advice on health.
National Institute on Aging. One of the 27 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging is the primary federal agency supporting and conducting Alzheimer’s disease research and leads a scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the active years of life.
Congressional Budget Office. The CBO does nonpartisan research and analysis for members of the U.S. Congress. It’s reports cover a variety of topics related to federal spending for health care and health insurance.