Labor-HHS bill to provide 3.2% increase in fiscal year 2011 for NIH

Despite innovative cancer research being presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, as well as numerous other conferences organized by the American Association for Cancer Research each year, the pace of scientific discovery in cancer research will slow if Congress does not pass the pending appropriations bill for fiscal year 2011.

The Labor-Health and Human Services-Education (Labor-HHS) bill, as currently written in both the House and Senate, would provide a 3.2 percent increase in fiscal year 2011 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The proposed $1 billion increase for the NIH in fiscal year 2011 will sustain the pace of progress in the fight against many diseases, including cancer, and will create new scientific opportunities.

"The breadth of current opportunities in cancer research and the excitement surrounding the potential for advancing the science for patient benefit are astounding," said AACR Chief Executive Officer Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.). "Sustained increases in appropriations for the NIH will ensure that promising research in all aspects of cancer investigation will bring hope to millions of Americans who are suffering from this disease and also stimulate new thinking about cancer prevention."

While the increase scarcely covers the cost of inflation, it will prevent cuts to numerous programs and projects that are furthering the understanding of cancer. If Congress passes a year-long continuing resolution instead of the appropriations bill, the NIH — along with other federal agencies — would remain at fiscal year 2010 levels through September 2011.

The AACR is sending an action alert to its members, asking them to contact their members of Congress in support of passing the Labor-HHS appropriations bill during the upcoming lame duck session.

Source: American Association for Cancer Research