News Headlines from Washington
Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, Named Director of NIDDK
Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers has been named Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Dr. Rodgers, a long-standing member of ASH, is internationally recognized for his contributions to the development of the first effective and FDA-approved therapy for sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases of hemoglobin. He has served as Acting Director of NIDDK since March 2006 and Deputy Director of NIDDK since 2001.
Barbara Alving, MD, Named Director of NCRR
Dr. Barbara Alving has been named Director of the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). Dr. Alving, another ASH member of long standing, has made exceptional contributions across NIH programs, including overseeing the launch of the NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program in her role as Acting Director of NCRR. She also served as Acting Director of NHLBI from August 2003 through January 2005.
ASH Advocates for NIH Funding Increase in FY 2008
ASH and other organizations within the biomedical research community have joined forces to advocate an increase of 6.7 percent for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY 2008. This requested funding level represents the expected 3.7 percent rate of biomedical inflation for 2008 plus a 3 percent “catch-up” for lost purchasing power as a result of NIH budgets not keeping pace with biomedical inflation since the completion of the doubling of the NIH budget in 2003.
ASH will continue its NIH advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill in the FY 2008 budget debate. With a very tight year expected for the entire federal budget, significant grassroots support for NIH funding is critical to gain any traction in the budget process.
Medicare Announces Performance Measures for New Physician Quality Reporting Program; ASH to Provide Information for Physicians Through Web Site
Medicare has announced preliminary information and the performance measures for the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The pay-for-reporting program, which was authorized by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, pays a bonus to Medicare providers who report on quality measures through administrative claims data. The program will begin July 1, 2007. Four hematology measures created by ASH have been approved and included in the program.
ASH Outlines Physician Payment Reform Proposal
ASH, along with 76 specialty societies, sent a sustainable growth rate (SGR) letter to the leadership of the House and Senate health committees and subcommittees outlining a proposal for modifying Medicare’s physician payment formula and replacing the SGR formula. Based on the SGR formula, Medicare is scheduled to cut physician reimbursement by 10 percent in 2008. Congressional lawmakers have indicated that they will likely provide another “short-term fix” so that physicians do not incur a cut next year, but they are searching for proposals to correct the physician reimbursement formula over the long term so that it is linked to quality improvement.
FDA Unveils Its Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Strategic Plan
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD, has released a comprehensive strategic plan outlining steps taken and additional actions the agency is taking to protect the health of the public should an influenza pandemic occur.
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Take Action
Congress is in the midst of the formal process of establishing fiscal year (FY) 2008 funding levels for federal departments, agencies, and programs, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As this issue of The Hematologist went to press, the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees were continuing the process of drafting the bills that will fund federal programs for FY 2008. House and Senate leaders have indicated that they would like to have completed this process by later this spring. ASH and the biomedical research community continue to advocate for an increase of 6.7 percent for FY 2008 over the final FY 2007 levels, despite a proposed FY 2008 budget from the White House that includes proposed cuts totaling $310 million for the NIH. Federal funding for domestic discretionary programs is exceptionally tight. Consequently, it is critical that all Members of Congress hear from constituents about the importance of providing adequate funding for the NIH. The ASH Advocacy Center makes contacting Congress quick and easy. The Advocacy Center identifies Senators and Representatives by zip code and then sends a letter on behalf of the ASH member via e-mail to the proper offices.
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