2009-09-30
Earlier today, during a speech
at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), President Barack Obama announced that NIH has awarded more than 12,000 American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA)-funded grants since September 1, 2009. These grants total more than $5 billion and
represent the “single largest boost to biomedical research in history.”
ASH appreciates the support Congress and the Obama
Administration have shown for the biomedical research community with the
funding provided for NIH through ARRA. After several years of annual appropriations that have not kept pace
with biomedical inflation, the funding provided for NIH through ARRA is a
crucial step toward rebuilding NIH’s vitality and reversing recent budget
trends. However, this commitment to NIH
must be maintained.
With fiscal year (FY) 2010 funding for NIH not yet
finalized, there is still time to contact Congress to urge support for
increases in NIH funding. ASH encourages all members to visit the ASH Advocacy
Center to send an e-mail to their elected officials about ensuring adequate
NIH funding in FY 2010 and beyond.
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