| Dear Mrs. Thomas-Rosario:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the funding of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research. The NIH is the leading source of government support for medical research in areas including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Since 2003, NIH funding has failed to keep up with biomedical inflation and it has lost 12% of its purchasing power as a result.
The omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008 signed into law on December 26 includes a 1.14% increase for the NIH, far short of the 6.7% increase I had sought. As the fiscal year 2009 budget and appropriations process begins, I will continue to fight for more robust NIH funding, and I will keep your interest in aneurysm research in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm We all have a voice, and we can make a difference! Contact you State Senator and voice your concerns. |
