To show appreciation for the recent $2 billion funding increase in fiscal year 2017 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the AASM sent a letter to members of Congress commending them on their hard work and communicating how this increase will lead to innovative medical products, services, and strategies that improve health and save lives. This is the second year in a row that Congress has given NIH a funding increase.
The letter also encourages legislators to show similar bipartisan support for the NIH when federal budget priorities for the 2018 fiscal year are considered. The Trump administration has proposed a $5.8 billion cut for NIH in its budget blueprint for 2018.
Recipients of additional support from the FY 2017 funding increase include: the National Cancer Institute; Alzheimer’s disease research; the All of Us Research Program, which recruits volunteers for genetic testing and health tracking; and the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which supports efforts to map the human brain.
We encourage members to contact your Representative or Senator to communicate your appreciation and continued bipartisan support for NIH. Please feel free use our template letter when submitting comments.
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