2009-03-19

NIH Announces Grant Opportunities Resulting From Stimulus Funding
The National Institutes of Health has announced additional details on some of the new funding opportunities made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Applications are currently available for a total of $1.5 billion in grants to fund scientific research, construction and improvement of research facilities, and the purchase of scientific equipment. Read more.

President Obama Lifts Limits on Federally Funded Stem Cell Research
On March 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order reversing former President Bush’s policy limiting federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Read more.

FY 2009 Omnibus Spending Bill Approved; NIH Receives $30.3 Billion
On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (HR 1105), releasing $410 billion to fund most federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, through the remainder of FY 2009. Read more.

President Obama Releases FY 2010 Budget Blueprint; Includes Major Increase for Cancer Research
The Office of Management and Budget released President Barack Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget overview document on February 26, 2009. The document provides a broad description of the Obama Administration's fiscal policies and major budgetary initiatives. The full details of the FY 2010 budget, including proposed funding levels for most federal departments of agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, will be released later this spring. Read more.

Efforts Underway to Create Blood Cancer Research Program Within the Department of Defense; Join ASH Advocacy Campaign
Efforts are currently underway in Congress to create a new blood cancer research program within the Department of Defense. Read more.

Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act Introduced in House
On February 26, 2009, Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act of 2009 (HR 1230). On March 4, members of the ASH Government Affairs Committee met with Representative Matsui’s staff to discuss the bill and to discuss additional opportunities for federal support of MDS treatment and research. Read more.

Health-Care Reform Debate Begins to Take Shape in Washington
Plans for major reform of the nation’s health-care system are beginning to take shape in Washington. President Obama has stated publicly that he wants health-care overhaul legislation completed and signed by the end of this year. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) has indicated that his committee is making plans to mark up a prospective bill in June. Read more.

President Obama Nominates Former New York City Health Commissioner as FDA Commissioner
Following the recent announcement of his nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services, President Barack Obama has nominated Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, a former New York City health commissioner, to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Read more.

FTC Commissioner Thinks Obama Administration Will Help Stop Agreements to Delay Generics
The Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Jon Leibowitz said he believes the Obama Administration will do more to stop brand-name pharmaceutical companies from paying generic drugmakers to delay the delivery of lower-cost versions of medications to the market. Read more.

March is DVT Awareness Month
March is Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month. Read more.