AHRQ Announces National Challenge to Expand Healthcare Choice and Competition

Largest-ever challenge of its kind makes up to $11.8 million available to research healthcare market reforms that can make care more affordable and accessible

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) today announced the AHRQ Healthcare Choice and Competition Challenge to Improve Quality, Lower Prices, and Expand Access, which will award up to $11.8 million for market-based solutions that will lower healthcare costs, improve quality, increase patient choice and expand access. Winning projects will provide the most promising ways to enhance competition through regulatory, financial, organizational or delivery reform.

In 2024, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses cost Americans a combined $556.6 billion, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. A March 2026 KFF analysis found that one or two health systems controlled the entire market for inpatient hospital care in nearly half of metropolitan areas in 2024. In 83% of metropolitan areas, one or two systems controlled more than 75% of the market.

"The Trump Administration is committed to finding the best ways to lower healthcare costs and improve quality and access for American families," said AHRQ Director Roger D. Klein, M.D., J.D. "This challenge asks America's best minds to provide practical evidence-based ways to improve healthcare for consumers by removing or circumventing current barriers to competition and patient choice. Our goal is to provide policymakers and healthcare leaders with workable solutions to issues that are of greatest concern to the American people."

The challenge includes two phases, with up to $3 million available in Phase 1 and up to $8.8 million in Phase 2. Phase 1 winners are invited to participate in Phase 2. Judges will review proposed research projects for feasibility, likely impact, novelty and team qualifications. Phase 1 applications are due October 26, 2026.

Through this challenge, the largest ever dedicated to research on healthcare market reform, AHRQ will identify reforms that can lower healthcare costs and improve quality, outcomes and patient choice for the American people. AHRQ encourages participation of individuals, teams, academic institutions and other U.S.-based entities. Participants should consult the official announcement for eligibility requirements, registration, submission instructions and prize terms. More information is available here.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, produces the evidence, tools and data needed to make healthcare safer, higher-quality and more effective. Follow the agency on Facebook, X and LinkedIn. Learn more at www.ahrq.gov.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services  •  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

SOURCE Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality