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AAMC Applauds Senators Harkin, Specter

Efforts to double NIH budget will ensure the progress of biomedical research

Press Release

Contact: Nicole Buckley
202-828-0041
nbuckley@aamc.org

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C., July 17, 2002 - The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) praised the efforts of Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today for securing a $27.2 billion FY 2003 budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In their roles as chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, both senators have led the charge to fulfill a congressional commitment, made in 1999, to double the NIH budget by 2003.

The nation has benefited tremendously from NIH's stewardship of the medical research enterprise. This financial support will allow these benefits to continue and ensure that the United States can maximize its scientific opportunities well into the next century.

"The nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals are grateful to Senators Harkin and Specter, who have been champions for the NIH, and instrumental in achieving the federal funding so critical to its mission," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D.

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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 Veterans Administration medical centers; more than 105,000 faculty in 98 academic and scientific societies; and the nation's 66,000 medical students and 97,000 residents. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.