On Thursday, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how laboratory discoveries are being translated into new drugs and treatments during a visit to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland – the nation’s largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research. Currently, there are 1,500 clinical research studies in progress at the Center and 10,000 new patients being cared for annually. The Center is uniquely designed to enable researchers to work alongside a wide range of specialists, who deliver the best possible care to patients with the most advanced treatments available. This powerful arrangement has led to a long list of groundbreaking medical discoveries, including the development of chemotherapy for cancer, the first tests to detect AIDS/HIV, and the first treatment of AIDS.

Additionally, research at the Center and throughout NIH directly supports 350,000 U.S. jobs, and indirectly drives 6 million more jobs across the nation. In 2010 alone, NIH research led to the creation of 487,900 quality jobs and produced $68.035 billion in new economic activity across the country. This research is directly linked to biomedical industry developments and private sector growth in Kansas and throughout the U.S. Congress today faces the challenge of balancing effective, efficient government operation with the necessity of righting our nation’s fiscal course during these challenging times. Therefore, it is extremely important that we reduce spending, lower our national debt, and prioritize programs that effectively serve the American people and demonstrate sufficient return on taxpayer dollars. I believe medical research needs to be a priority because it saves lives, improves health, drives economic development, and enhances our global competitiveness.  Click here to view photos from my visit to the Center.