Increase in NIH funding expected

By John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
March 12, 2007

It's federal budget time again on Capitol Hill. Each year at this time, the deans of the nation's 38 accredited schools of public health gather in Washington, D.C. to talk with their congressional delegations about health priorities and funding. I joined them last week along with Assistant Dean Diana Harvey and University Legislative Director Channing Riggs. High on our agenda is the NIH research budget and funding for the Public Health Training Centers and the Centers for Public Health Preparedness.

Specifically, we are urging a 6.8 percent increase in NIH's 2008 budget and continued funding for the centers. The good news is that the Minnesota and North Dakota congressional staff with whom we spoke expect increased NIH funding to pass and also continued funding for the centers despite the President's recommendation for a flat NIH budget and elimination of centers funding. Prospects for increased funding on both counts look better today than a year ago, if only because of the shift in party power wrought by the November midterm elections.

Minnesota's Fourth District Rep. Betty McCollum now sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee along with other Democrats, and North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad is now chair of the Senate Committee on Budget. Health funding and global health are high on their agendas, too. The schools of public health are also seeking increased funding for the CDC, which has been hammered in recent years by the President's budgets.

Despite the congressional power shift, none of this is a "cake walk" by any means. Democrats, just like Republicans before them, are faced with huge deficits from the Iraq War and need to begin controlling them. Budget battles are likely to be fierce and partisan. Nevertheless, one message that seems clear from the November election is that Americans want some solid investment in the health and well-being of all. If you agree, this would be a good time to contact your federal representatives and senators and let them know. Also, don't forget the University's state legislative agenda and your local legislators.

For information on the national public health legislative agenda, click here: www.apha.org/advocacy/

To locate your federal representatives and senators, click here: www.gpoaccess.gov/cdirectory/index.html

For information on the University of Minnesota's legislative agenda, and to locate your state legislators, click here: www1.umn.edu/groots/index.php