107th Congress

House Committee on Appropriations -- Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education -- Member of Congress Hearing -- Session II -- March 27, 2001

Members Present

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

Testimony of Interest to NIH

American Academy of Pediatrics: Dr. Renee Jenkins spoke in support of the 16.5 percent increase to the NIH in FY 2002. In the area of pediatric research, she recommended an appropriation of 50 million dollars 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.

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

California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP): Representative Cunningham introduced Dr. Judith Albino. The headquarters of CSPP is located in Representative Nancy 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.

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.: Representative Jackson introduced Lynda Anderson and Tahira Givhan. 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 for Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD).

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

National Coalition for Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases: Dr. Thomas Clemens urged the Subcommittee 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 percent increase in funding to NIH and NIAMS, the lead bone research institute. He also requested support for NIA, NIDCR, NIDDK, NCI, and NICHD.

North American Brain Tumor Coalition: Dr. Lawrence Pizzi 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 coordinated the review of brain tumor research proposals. Mr. Regula noted that he had a friend with a brain tumor that died.

Friends of Cancer Research: Dr. Ken Moss 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 let his daughter die in vain.

March of Dimes: Deborah Neale spoke of their support for the increase in funding to NIH. Ms. Neale noted the March of Dimes' support for increased funding for the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network, the NHGRI's human genome project, and NCMHD.

Bastyr University: Joseph Pizzorno, identified Bastyr University (located in Seattle, WA) as the first university for natural medicine. Mr. Pizzorno noted that NCCAM receives less than 1 percent of the total NIH budget and requested an increase in this funding.

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

Medical Library Association: Marianne Comegys spoke about the NLM and the important role it plays in the health care delivery system. She recommended a 16.5 percent 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