Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the revision of the currently approved information collection project "Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Household Component, OMB No. 0935-0118." This information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2025, and allowed 60 days for public comment. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. During the 60-day comment period, AHRQ received three comments. One commenter expressed support for the collection. Another supported inclusion of sleep-related questions and suggested additional items; AHRQ will consider these for future inclusion. A third commenter supported MEPS but raised concerns about removal of questions on sexual orientation and gender identity, birth control counseling, the ESAQ, and the DCS. AHRQ notes that sexual orientation and gender identity questions were removed pursuant to Executive Order 14168. AHRQ continues to propose removal of the birth control counseling question due to space constraints and other priorities. The ESAQ was a one-time, externally funded supplement and will be released as planned. AHRQ also continues to propose removal of the current DCS due to cost, outdated content, and data quality concerns, while considering future updates or alternative modules.