Vol. 1., No. 4
October 14, 2011
- House and Senate establish initial positions on NIH Funding for FY12
- Brain Tumor Advocates Focus on Key Congressional Leadership
- NBTS Summit 2011 – Be part of the growing advocacy movement for the brain tumor community
House and Senate establish initial positions on NIH Funding for FY12
Over the last two weeks the House and Senate advanced legislation indicating their respective positions on National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding that is so critical to brain tumor research. It’s a good news, bad news report. The good news is that the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services released a draft bill that would increase funding for NIH by $1billion. This increase definitely reflects the advocacy that brain tumor advocates have done over the last few months. The bad news is the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a bill that would cut the NIH budget by $190 million. The House and Senate will have to pass another budget bill before November 18 to avoid a federal government shutdown so the fiscal year 2012 budget debate is far from over.
Brain Tumor Advocates Focus on Key Congressional Leadership
Our community should be proud. We’re not letting up. This week, we asked National Brain Tumor Society volunteers in states and congressional districts of key Congressional leaders including Appropriations, Leadership and the new Supercommittee, to urge their elected officials to fight for NIH funding and fight for the brain tumor community. Also this week, I joined other advocacy leaders from forty of the largest cancer groups in the country as part of the One Voice Against Cancer Coalition to meet with Congressional leaders to also urge them to support NIH funding. I met with Chairman Rehberg’s (R-MT) team as he leads the House Appropriations Subcommittee that provides for NIH funding. It was a positive meeting in that NIH is clearly viewed as an important agency and worthy of a budget increase. The big take away – let’s keep up our advocacy and encourage our leaders to support NIH.
NBTS Summit 2011 – Be part of the growing brain tumor advocacy movement
It’s coming up fast! The 2011 National Brain Tumor Society Summit is going to be a great opportunity to learn about the issues and get involved in advocacy. Don’t miss the Race for Hope on November 6 where you’ll be able to join thousands of others who have been affected by brain tumors to gather, connect with each other and sign up to fight for a cure. I hope to see you in Philadelphia the first week of November. Register today at www.braintumor.org
Thanks again for advocating – your voice makes a difference.
David F. Arons
Director of Public Policy
