SUPPORT FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) recently
announced that they are going to offer an amendment to the
Senate FY09 Budget Resolution (Senate Concurrent Resolution 70)
that would provide significant new funding for the NIH.
The amendment would authorize an additional $2.1 billion
for the NIH in FY09, bringing the agency's total funding
level up to $32.2 billion (an increase of 10.24%). If
adopted, The House and Senate appropriations committees
would still provide this additional funding in the FY09 NIH
appropriations bill, but including it in the budget
resolution would be a significant first step.
The Senate
is expected to begin consideration of the FY09
budget resolution this evening. A vote on the Specter/Harkin
amendment could occur anytime in the next few days. NCF members are
encouraged to contact their two senators and do
the following --
- Identify yourself as a constituent
and ask to speak with the senator's health aide.
- Explain
to the aide what Focal
Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is and how it
impacts you and your family.
- Emphasize how important
research is to improving the quality of life for FSGS patients.
- Ask
that the Senator "vote
yes on the Specter/Harkin amendment to increase funding
for the NIH in the FY09 budget resolution."
- Give
the aide your contact information and ask to be kept
informed of the senator’s
actions on your request.
If you don’t know who your two senators are or
how to get in touch with them, please visit www.senate.gov or
call the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Thank
You!
