Today the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a statement urging Congress to build rather than diminish research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget blueprint requests $25.9 billion for NIH, which is a reduction of $5.8 billion, or 18.3 percent, relative to the 2017 annualized continuing resolution level. It also includes a proposal to reorganize NIH through consolidation and other unspecified structural changes, ostensibly to focus resources on the highest priorities.
Recent reports also indicate that the Trump administration has recommended immediate research funding cuts as one option for lawmakers to consider as they craft a spending bill, which must be passed by April 28 to avert a government shutdown. These options reportedly include reducing NIH research grants for the current budget year by $1.2 billion.
The AASM encourages all members to join us in urging Congress to ensure that the federal budget increases funding for NIH research.
Action Steps
- Use the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools webpage to find out how much research funding NIH has distributed in your state or congressional district.
- Identify your Representative and Senators.
- Download and customize the AASM template letter.
- Send the letter to your legislators before April 28.
For additional assistance, please contact AASM Sr. Government Relations Analyst Ted Thurn at tthurn@aasm.org.
