107th Congress

House Committee on Appropriations -- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education -- Public Witness Hearing -- March 21, 2001

Members Present

Representatives Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman, Anne Northup (R-KY), Randy A. "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), John Peterson (R-PA), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL).

Testimony of Interest to NIH:

Dr. Renee Jenkins representing the American Academy of Pediatrics spoke in support of the 16.5% increase to the NIH in FY 2002. In the area of pediatric research, she recommended an appropriation of $50 million for the Pediatric Research Initiative in the Office of the NIH Director. Further recommendations requested sufficient funding to implement the new pediatric training grant and pediatric loan repayment programs enacted in the Children's Health Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-310) to ensure that there are trained pediatric researchers in multiple disciplines.

Representative Northup introduced Dr. Steven Kukic representing the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Dr. Kukic spoke about a reading assessment screening tool developed with the input of NICHD. Mr. Regula, Ms. Northup and Mr. Cunningham questioned Dr. Kukic about how this tool would be utilized.

Representative Cunningham introduced Dr. Judith Albino representing the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). The headquarters of CSPP is located in Representative Pelosi's (D-CA) district. CSPP is a supporter of the increased funding to NIH. Of note, Representative Cunningham stated that his adopted son had been in a substance abuse program.

Representative Jackson introduced Lynda Anderson and Tahira Givhan representing Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. Ms. Anderson requested that NHLBI strengthen their coordination of the ten sites that have databases for sickle cell anemia. Representative Jackson noted that both he and his father carry the trait for sickle cell. Mr. Jackson stated that NIH could use better coordination of their efforts on sickle cell. He indicated that sickle cell anemia should be on the top of the list of things addressed by the Center of Minority Health and Disparities.

Representative Jackson introduced Lydia Lewis, a current member of the NIH Council of Public Representatives. Ms. Lewis, who was representing the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, noted their support for an increase in funding for NIH and for NIMH. Ms. Lewis stated that research in behavioral science and neuroscience is critical.

Dr. Thomas Clemens representing the National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases urged the Committee to instruct NIH to make bone research one of its top trans-NIH priorities in FY 2002. Dr. Clemens stated his support for the 16.5% increase in funding to NIH and NIAMS, the lead bone research institute. He also requested support for NIA, NIDCR, NIDDK, NCI, and NICHD.

Dr. Lawrence Pizzi representing the North American Brain Tumor Coalition supported the increase in funding to NIH. Dr. Pizzi commented on the lack of clinician-investigators who understand the complexities of clinical neurooncology research. Chairman Regula asked if anyone at NIH did this type of research. Dr. Pizzi noted that a successful collaboration had developed between NINDS and NCI and urged the continuation of this collaboration. Dr. Pizzi also requested that NCI and NINDS organize a series of interdisciplinary meetings on the subject of brain tumors and that NINDS, NCI and CSR should coordinate the review of brain tumor research proposals. Mr. Regula noted that he had a friend with a brain tumor that died.

Dr. Ken Moss representing the Friends of Cancer Research told a moving story about the recent loss of his daughter to cancer. She had participated in a NCI clinical trial. He asked Mr. Regula to support the 5 year commitment to double NIH's budget and to not to let his daughter die in vain.

Deborah Neale representing the March of Dimes spoke of their support for the increase in funding to NIH. Ms. Neale noted the March of Dimes' support for increased funding for the following: the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network, the NHGRI's human genome project, and the National Center on Minority Health and Disparities (NCMHD).

Joseph Pizzorno representing Bastyr University located in Seattle, WA, the first university for natural medicine, noted that NCCAM receives less than 1% of the total NIH budget and requested an increase in this funding.

Mohammad Akhter representing the American Public Health Association spoke about the future of health disparities as minority populations increase. He requested that Committee fully fund the NCMHD.

Marianne Comegys representing the Medical Library Association spoke about the National Library of Medicine and the important role it plays in the health care delivery system. She recommended a 16.5% increase for NLM. Ms. Comegys noted that a new facility for NLM was urgently needed and requested the necessary resources to acquire a new facility.

Prepared by Jennie Titsworth Kirby, OLPA