2009-08-20

Congress Advances FY 2010 NIH Funding Bills; Time to Contact Senate to Urge Support for Increases
When Congress adjourned for its August district work period, both the House and Senate had made significant progress in advancing their respective versions of bills to fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2010. Read more.

Congress Continues to Work on Health Reform Legislation as Differences Remain
The U.S. House of Representatives has adjourned for its August recess, but lawmakers working on a health-care overhaul still have a lot of work to do over the break to prepare to pass legislation when they return. Read more.

Francis Collins Sworn in as NIH Director
Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, was sworn in as Director of NIH on August 17. He was nominated to lead the NIH by President Barack Obama on July 8, and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 7. Read more.

ASH Comments on Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Changes
On August 19, ASH submitted comments on proposed revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Read more.

ASH Objects to GAO Evaluation of Training Programs in Health-Care Reform Legislation
ASH has objected to a provision of the House health reform bill (HR 3200) that would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate graduate medical education training programs. Read more.

President Obama Extends NIH Stem Cell Funding Guidelines to Other Federal Agencies
President Barrack Obama issued a memorandum on July 30 directing the heads of all federal departments and agencies that support and conduct stem cell research to adopt the final NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research "to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal authorities and obligations." Read more.

AHRQ Announces Intent to Fund Comparative Effectiveness Research Projects
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has published a notice announcing the Agency's intention to support new comparative effectiveness research (CER). AHRQ anticipates grant and contract solicitations to be published beginning in the fall 2009, with funding to commence in spring 2010. Read more.

Abstract Submission Closes August 23 for National Conference on Blood Disorders in Public Health
Abstract submission for the upcoming National Conference on Blood Disorders in Public Health closes on August 23, 2009.

NIH Office of Extramural Research Releases August 2009 Newsletter
The NIH Office of Extramural Research has released its August 2009 newsletter, which includes information on reporting requirements for awardees receiving ARRA funds, an update on the status of research applications involving human embryonic stem cells, and information on alternate and "continuous" submission and review procedures for R01, R21, and R34 applications.

back to top