Final answer:
The government supports comparative effectiveness research to gather evidence on the efficacy of different healthcare treatments, which can be used to inform decisions and improve healthcare quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government is supporting comparative effectiveness research (CER) because it seeks to provide evidence on the effectiveness, benefits, and harms of different treatment options. The information gathered from this research can be used by healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers to make informed decisions about healthcare. The ultimate goal is to improve healthcare quality and value by determining which interventions are most effective for which patients under specific circumstances.