More Info
Research!America Chair John Edward Porter Statement on Defeat of Senator Moran's NIH Amendment
Jun 14 2012
Senator Jerry Moran's amendment for a $1 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) underscores the importance of strengthening our commitment to research and development as other nations nip at our heels on the road to discovery. We applaud Senator Moran's leadership on such a critical issue for our nation. Moving forward, bipartisan support will be critical for a significant funding increase that reflects the contributions of research as a driver of innovation and economic prosperity. As budget negotiations continue, we urge congressional leadership to demonstrate their support for medical breakthroughs, job growth and a surge in public-private partnerships with a stronger investment in medical research. Similarly, federal agencies - including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) - that protect public health, improve quality of care, and empower Americans to prevent disease and disability require essential resources to advance lifesaving initiatives. We're pleased the Senate Appropriations Committee spared the CDC from budget cuts as funding continues to diminish at the state and local levels for disease mitigation and prevention programs. However, we're concerned that with fewer dollars, AHRQ will face increasing challenges in supporting research that improves health care for all Americans.