107th Congress

House Committee on Appropriations -- Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education -- Public Witness Hearing -- March 20, 2001

Members Present

Representatives Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman; Steny Hoyer (D-MD); Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL); Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); John Peterson (R-PA); and Don Sherwood (R-PA).

Testimony of Interest to NIH

Children's Brain Diseases Foundation: Dr. J. Alfred Rider, President, asked the Subcommittee to increase support for Batten Disease research at NINDS to 3.9 million dollars. Dr. Rider indicated that NINDS currently spends a smaller percentage of research funds on Batten Disease than it did in 1994.

American Dental Association: Robert Anderton, President, requested more funds for NIDCR to conduct research on oral health and to expand loan repayment programs. The ADA supports increased funding for HRSA prevention activities and for increased support for training in the field of pediatric dentistry. Chairman Regula asked if the ADA is making progress in improving the oral health of Native Americans. Mr. Anderton indicated that great progress is being made.

National Organizations Responding to AIDS Coalition: Terje Anderson, Co-Chair, was introduced by Representative Pelosi. Mr. Anderson advocated for more funding of CDC AIDS prevention and surveillance activities through and for the expansion of the Ryan White Care Act. Mr. Anderson recommended that the Subcommittee increase support for OAR and double the NIH budget.

Chron's and Colitis Foundation of America: Jean Kouris, Member, was introduced by Representative Jackson. Ms. Kouris favored a 16.5 percent increase in the NIDDK and NIAID budgets for more research on inflammatory bowel disease. Ms. Kouris also called for the establishment of a federal coordinating committee on Chron's disease.

Maurice and Sugar Law Center: Alma Lowry, Environmental Justice Staff Attorney, National Lawyers Guild, was introduced by Representative Pelosi. Ms. Lowry indicated that more research on the health effects of environmental pollutants and hazards is necessary. She supports more efforts to increase monitoring of exposures to contaminants and expand CDC and NIEHS research on the cumulative health effects of exposures to multiple toxins. Representative Pelosi reminded Mr. Regula about hearings that the Subcommittee held in 2000 on the issue of children's environmental health and urged the Subcommittee to pay more attention to this issue.

NephCure Foundation: Dr. Irving Smokler, President, was accompanied by Representative Lynn Rivers (D-MI). Dr. Smokler advocated for more funding for NIDDK to conduct research on Glomerlular Injury. He indicated that doctors often misdiagnose the disease. Representative Jackson asked Dr. Smokler about how much money NIDDK should get for this research. Dr. Smokler indicated that 2.3 million dollars would be an appropriate level of funding for this research.

American Society for Nutritional Sciences: Dr. Tammy Bray, Associate Dean and Professor, Department of Human Nutrition and Food Management, Ohio State University, advocated for more research on nutrition and diet-related diseases. Dr. Bray also expressed support for doubling of the NIH budget.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Dr. Carole Anderson, Dean, College of Nursing, Ohio State University, expressed concern about the nation's nursing shortage. She supports increased funding for NINR in order to conduct clinical research on chronic disease management, end of life care, and health disparities. Dr. Anderson also expressed support for increases in funding for nurse training and for the expansion of the Nursing Student Loan Program.

American Association of Medical Colleges: Dr. Terrace Cooper, Professor, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, College of Medicine, expressed support doubling of the NIH budget. He also advocated for the expansion of NIH clinical research and training programs. Dr. Cooper specifically expressed support for the NCRR Shared Instrument Grant Program and the Centers programs. AAMC is disappointed with the President's decision to reducing funding for Title 7 programs that provide funding for training.

American Academy of Opthamology: Dr. George Blankenship, President, expressed support for increasing the NEI budget and doubling of NIH budget. He was concerned that the NEI budget is growing half as much as the NIH budget. Dr. Blankenship believes that NEI should receive 620 million dollars, which is at professional judgment level. He urged NEI to increase its focus on macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes-related blindness.

Prepared by OLPA