2010-03-18

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing regarding President Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). During his opening statement, Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin (D-IA) emphasized the "significant increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)" as one of the highlights of the President’s proposal.

In her testimony to the Subcommittee, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius highlighted the importance of investing in research and stated that "the budget promotes projects that will rebuild our economy by investing in next generation research and the advanced development of technology that will help us find new cures for diseases, innovative new treatments, and new ways to keep Americans safe, whether we are facing a pandemic or potential terrorist attack."

The Senate Subcommittee hearing marks an important first step in the annual appropriations process and helps lay the groundwork for the spending bills that the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin drafting later this spring.

Now is the time to contact your senators and representative to generate their interest in supporting FY 2011 NIH funding. ASH will continue its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill during the FY 2011 budget debate and encourages all members to visit the ASH Advocacy Center to take action to help influence the budget process and support increased funding for NIH. Your senators and representative need to hear from you about ensuring adequate NIH funding in FY 2011.

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