Government Organizations
The Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ) is a government agency whose research provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a congressional agency that produces policy analyses and estimates required for the congressional budget process. CBO has issued reports on malpractice premiums and examined its potential impact on the nation’s health expenditures.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO; formerly General Accounting Office) is the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of Congress. GAO examines the use of public funds, evaluates federal programs and activities, and provides analyses, options, recommendations, and other assistance to help the Congress make effective oversight, policy, and funding decisions. The GAO has investigated the role of malpractice in overall health spending.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce serves as the principal body in the House in matters relating to the promotion of commerce and to the public’s health and marketplace interests.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) forwards legislative proposals relating to health, education and training, and has jurisdiction over public welfare.
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary has broad jurisdictions on legal policy, ranging from criminal justice to antitrust and intellectual property law.
State-Level Organizations
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, dedicated to helping states achieve excellence in health policy and practice. The NASHP staff conducts policy analysis; provides training and technical assistance to states; produces informational resources; and convenes state, regional, and national forums.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is an organization that provides an open, bipartisan, national forum for state lawmakers to communicate with one another and share ideas. NCSL serves as a voice for the states in Washington, D.C., representing their interests before Congress, the administration and federal agencies. NCSL produces research on critical state issues, publications, meetings, and seminars.
The National Governors Association (NGA) is a bipartisan group that provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing policy reports on innovative state programs and hosting networking seminars for state government executive branch officials. The NGA Center for Best Practices focuses on state innovations and best practices on issues that range from education and health to technology, welfare reform, and the environment.
Policy Research Organizations
The Alliance for Health Reform is a bipartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts health policy briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington for congressional staff and media. The Alliance also publishes resource books on health policy topics such as Medicaid, assists journalist nationwide to develop articles and broadcasts on health issues, and maintains a source list of hundreds of health care experts.
American Enterprise Institute for Public Health Research (AEI) is a nonpartisan, non-profit institution, located in Washington, D.C. Its research focuses on economics and trade; social welfare; government tax, spending, regulatory, and legal policies; U.S. politics; international affairs; and U.S. defense and foreign policies.
Americans for Insurance Reform (AIR) is a national coalition of public interest and consumer organizations that oppose the adoption of caps on jury awards. AIR supports measures that address the insurance industry directly.
The Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) is a nonpartisan policy research organization that designs and conducts studies focused on the U.S. health care system to inform the thinking and decisions of policy makers in government and private industry.
Consumer Federation of America (CFA) monitors the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and supports greater managed health care protections. CFA's staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates information to the public, legislators, and regulators.
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the nation. The Foundation is an independent voice and source of facts and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health care community, and the general public.
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a Philadelphia-based organization that grants funds for research and provides information, policy solutions, and support for civic life. The Trust sponsored The Project on Medical Liability in Pennsylvania.
The RAND Corporation conducts quantitative research on a broad range of national issues, including health economics, disparities, aging, and mental health.
Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center analyzes trends and underlying causes of changes in health insurance coverage, access to care, and use of health care services in the U.S.
Professional Organizations
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is one of the largest national medical organizations, representing more than 94,000 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students nationwide.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) represents obstetricians and gynecologists and sponsors analysis and education on many health issues of importance to women. ACOG has been actively tracking and analyzing malpractice premium costs across the country.
The American Medical Association (AMA) is a membership association for physicians that is involved in advocacy and policy efforts related to health policy issues, including medical liability reform, Medicare payment, managed care legislation, and expanded health care coverage.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a member association for nurses that is focused on developing standards of nursing practice and promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace. The ANA also lobbies the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) is a broad based, bipartisan coalition of more than 300 businesses, corporations, municipalities, associations, and professional firms that support changes to existing tort law.
Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) is a membership association representing the interests of trial lawyers, including those involved in malpractice cases.
Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) is an organization of health care liability insurance entities that advocate on behalf of physicians, dentists, and other health care providers in the areas of legislation, education, risk management and research.