107th Congress

House Committee on Appropriations -- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education -- Public Witness Hearing -- March 13, 2001

Members Present

Representatives Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman, Roger Wicker (R-MS), Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL).

Testimony of Interest to NIH

This hearing was Chairman Regula's first hearing as chairman of the labor, health and human services, education subcommittee. In his opening statements, Chairman Regula remarked that this committee would work to be fair and balanced in what it does and would offer balanced judgments. He welcomed the public witnesses and expressed the committee's appreciation for their willingness to testify before the committee.

Representatives DeLauro, Jackson, Hoyer, Wicker and Cunningham welcomed Chairman Regula to the committee, as they arrived during the hearing. Representative Jackson noted that Regula brings sensitivity to the committee. Representative Hoyer noted that Chairman Regula brought leadership combined with sensitivity to the committee and that Rep. Regula was thoughtful and hardworking.

Representative John Larson (D-CT) introduced Kathleen Anderson, American Society for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD-CRPS). Her daughter, who suffers from RSD-CRPS, accompanied her. Rep. DeLauro was present for this testimony. Chairman Regula asked the witness if NIH was doing anything related to RSD-CRPS. No specific reply was given.

Representative Wicker introduced Patricia Furlong, Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy. Rep. Wicker stated that he had introduced legislation to address Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and he felt that we are poised to make great progress in this area. After Ms. Furlong's testimony, Rep. Wicker encouraged the other members of the subcommittee to join him as cosponsors of this bill. Rep. Hoyer commented that the increase in funding to NIH would allow additional resources to be directed to address unmet needs. Representative Jackson was present for this testimony.

Representative Wu (D-OR) introduced Dr. Grover Bagby, Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Bagby spoke about the need for an NIH funding mechanism for updating buildings and facilities. Rep. Wicker asked Dr. Bagby if he could better compete for grants if he had flexibility with his infrastructure and asked Dr. Bagby to comment on the NIH peer review process. Dr. Bagby stated that the same principle of peer review should apply to the funding on infrastructures. Representative Hoyer commented that he was convinced that the paylines in NIH's funding of extramural research are so low that we are missing some great research. Dr. Bagby concurred. Representative Jackson was present for this testimony.

Representative Cunningham introduced Dr. Goldstein, Joint Steering Committee for Public Policy, and noted that he was a family friend. Rep. Cunningham asked if Dr. Goldstein thought that with an increase NIH could fund research wisely and also if other nations are involved in stem cell research. Dr. Goldstein, a specialist in stem cell research, stated that opportunities for good science are being missed because of under-funding and that Britain is also working on stem cell research. Rep. Cunningham noted that, even though he is pro-life, he supports stem cell research. Representatives Hoyer and Jackson were present for this testimony.

Representative Hoyer introduced Vicki Modell, Jeffery Modell Foundation, and noted that Representative Lowey wanted to be present to welcome Ms. Modell. After Ms. Modell's testimony, Representative Jackson noted that Ms. Modell had testified numerous times before the committee and stated that he will ask the director of CDC about the CDC response relating to primary immune deficiency disorders. Representatives De Lauro welcomed Ms. Modell and expressed her concern.

Ms. Joan Brooks, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation, stated that the CF Foundation was requesting a clinical trials network for cystic fibrosis.

Ms. Cheryl Miller, Paratuberculosis Awareness and Research Association, stated that NIH has not provided funding for research on the infectious form of Crohn's Disease. She also stated that the responsibility of Crohn's Disease should be moved from NIDDK to NIAID.

The following witnesses expressed their support for the increase in funding for the NIH:

Luceille Fleming, Director, Ohio Department of Alcohol & Drug Addition Services, and Board Member and Past President, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc.
Re: National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc.

Kathleen M. Anderson, East Coast Director, American Society for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy-Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (RSD-CRPS)
Re: American Society for RSD-CRPS

Pat Bridgman, Associate Director, Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers
Re: Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers

Dr. Maurice A. Cerulli, President, Digestive Disease National Coalition Accompanied by: Nancy Norton, Chairman, Digestive Disease Coalition
Re: Digestive Disease National Coalition

Dr. Richard Barr, Chairman and Board of Trustees, Immune Deficiency Foundation
Re: Immune Deficiency Foundation

Patricia Furlong, President, Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy
Re: Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy

Dr. Grover Bagby, Director, Oregon Cancer Center
Re: Oregon Health Sciences University

Dr. James Ferguson, Member Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Re: Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Vicki Modell, Co-Founder and Vice President, Jeffrey Modell Foundation
Re: Jeffrey Modell Foundation

Dr. Gary Friedlaender, Chair Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine. Accompanied by: Allison Gaffey and Daniel Kayne (Patients)
Re: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Dr. Gerald D. Fishbach, Vice President for Health Biomedical Sciences,Columbia University, and Former Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
Re: Columbia University

Dr. Christopher V. Plowe, Associate Professor, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology and Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Re: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Cheryl Miller, Co-Executive Director, Paratuberculosis awareness and Research Association, Inc.
Re: Paratuberculosis Awareness and Research Association

Dr. G. Richard Holt, Executive Vice President, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc.
Re: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Foundation, Inc

Joan F. Brooks, Volunteer
Re: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation