July 6, 2016
United for Medical Research President David Pugach made the following statement in response to the funding level for the National Institutes of Health in the FY17 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations draft bill to be marked up in subcommittee tomorrow:
United for Medical Research (UMR) thanks members of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee for prioritizing medical research and providing an increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We are particularly appreciative of the leadership of Chairman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro and their strong commitment to patients and to finding cures. Combined with the mark provided by Senate appropriators, the House committee’s draft bill provides a strong reminder of the steadfast bicameral support for biomedical research and the cures that it holds.
It is essential that Congress continue the momentum begun last year to put the NIH back on a growth path after more than a decade of flat funding. Steady, increased funding is necessary for NIH to catch up from its previous stagnant funding and keep up with public health needs and the opportunities of biomedical research. NIH research is an engine for innovation, a pathway to hope for patients and an economic catalyst, supporting $60 billion annually in economic activity.
UMR will work with the House and the Senate to ensure maximum funding for NIH for FY17.
United for Medical Research is a coalition of leading research scientific research institutions and industries, and patient and health advocates that have joined together to seek steady increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Learn more at www.unitedformedicalresearch.com.