|
|
|
|
|
Contact: Media Relations Officer, (202) 828-0975.
AAMC Discouraged by Administration's Proposed NIH Budget
Washington, D.C., February 1, 1999 -- The Clinton Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget proposal for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) fails to maintain last year's momentum toward doubling the agency's budget by 2003, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) asserts. Today, the Clinton Administration proposed a $15.9 billion budget for NIH, a 2 percent increase over last year. The Administration's proposal is in sharp contrast to the 15 percent increase NIH received in FY 1999.
"We are dissatisfied with the small increase proposed in the President's budget this year for NIH," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D. "But we recognize that the appropriations process is a long one and are confident that the Administration will concur with the higher level of support Congress seems likely to provide before the FY 2000 budget is put to bed. We will work closely with the Congress to make sure that the goal of doubling NIH's budget remains on track. Ultimately, increased funding for medical research is essential to reap the promising rewards modern science offers for improving the health of the public."
The AAMC is also very discouraged that the Administration's proposal does not increase funding for the National Health Service Corps, the Veterans Affairs medical care and research budgets, and cuts nearly $90 million in support for the Health Resources and Services Administration's health professions programs.
"The one bright spot in the Clinton Administration's FY 2000 budget proposal is a 20 percent increase, to $206 million, for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research," said Dr. Cohen.
###
The Association of American Medical Colleges represents the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; some 400 major teaching hospitals, including 74 Veterans Administration medical centers; 87 academic and professional societies representing 88,000 faculty members; and the nation's 67,000 medical students and 102,000 residents.
Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.
|
