AAMC Urges Increase in NIH
Funding
August 29, 2003 - The AAMC has joined nearly 600 patient
groups, scientific societies and research institutions in
calling on the Senate to add $2.5 billion to the NIH budget
for FY 2004. The AAMC signed an Aug. 29 letter
asking Senators to support an amendment to the FY 2004 Labor-HHS-Education
appropriations bill, sponsored by Senators Arlen Specter (R-Pa.),
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), to increase
NIH funding by an additional $1.5 billion, for a total increase
of $2.5 billion (9.2 percent) over FY 2003. As reported by
the Senate Appropriations Committee in June, the Labor-HHS-Education
bill provides $27.982 billion for NIH, a $1 billion (3.7 percent)
increase.
The additional funds would be obtained by pushing back into
FY 2003 $1.5 billion in funding advances that were appropriated
in FY 2003, but advanced into FY 2004. By moving advances
in this manner, it permits an additional $1.5 billion to be
appropriated for the NIH without breaking the cap for FY 2004.
However, because this amendment would violate the FY 2003
spending cap imposed in the FY 2004 budget resolution, it
will require 60 votes to pass.
The Senate is scheduled to begin consideration of the FY
2004 Labor-HHS-Education appropriation bill when it returns
to Washington on Sept. 2.
Information:
Dave Moore, Senior Associate Vice President
AAMC Government Relations
dbmoore@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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