June 10, 2014
The following is a statement from United for Medical Research (UMR):
WASHINGTON – “We applaud Senators Harkin & Moran and the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies appropriations subcommittee for proposing a $605 million increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We appreciate the subcommittee’s effort to mitigate recent cuts.
“Despite the difficult funding environment, we are pleased to see recognition of the critical role NIH plays as an economic engine and a driver of advances that improve patient’s lives. NIH, which fuels extraordinary advances in human health, has lost more than 20 percent of its purchasing power in recent years to inflation and indiscriminate cuts. The funding provided in this bill is an important step in the right direction. We urge Congress to approve the Senate appropriations subcommittee proposal – at a minimum – to put NIH back on a predictable and sustainable growth path.”