NIH Appropriations Update: House Approves 2.8 Percent Increase for NIH

On Thursday, September 9, the House of Representatives approved fiscal year (FY) 2005 appropriations legislation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies. The bill will provide NIH with $28.44 billion, an increase of $782 million or 2.8 percent.

Within NIH, the House FY 2005 spending bill includes: $4.87 billion for the National Cancer Institute, a $131 million or 2.76 percent increase; $2.96 billion for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a $85.2 million or 2.96 percent boost; $1.72 billion for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a $54.3 million or 3.25 percent increase; and $1.05 billion for the National Institute on Aging, a $30.9 million or 2.92 percent boost.

Outlook
No action on FY 2005 NIH appropriations is yet scheduled in the Senate. ASH will continue its advocacy efforts for increased NIH funding through the Grassroots Network and coalitions with other biomedical research societies. In addition, the Society will keep members informed about upcoming opportunities to contact legislators about FY 2005 NIH funding.

If you have questions, or need more information, please contact Jeff Coughlin, ASH Government Affairs Manager, at 202-776-0544.