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Greetings; I just finished reading the text of the Udall bill and, while the provisions for patient care are much needed and appropriate, the distribution of research funds, it would appear, is just a big pork barrel. The entire responsibility for most if not all such determinations is to be made by "The NIH Director". This is simply a plan to distribute the funds among the oldest, fatest cats in the jungle. The Bill speaks of awards to distinguished scientists in the field....this speaks only to the needs of those who have been scientists the longest....not necessarily the most creative and capable....its real pork as far as research goes. I can easily understand how it happened....it's innocent enough. Mr. Udall needed advice so he went to NIH as I believe he should have. The problem is that he had no choice but to accept whatever he was told. Imagine speaking with all these distinguished scientists....does anyone want to believe that we can't be trusted? Oh well. My personal view is that until significant progress is made we should reserve titles such as "distinguished" and the like for some future time. It's always seemed silly to me when people working in cancer research receive a Nobel Prize. That singular honor should be reserved for the scientist who, well....you know. Much of the text of the Bill read like words of worship to some scientific priesthood out there. Let them enjoy it....I've got research to do..... Jeffrey Tosk, Ph.D. ([log in to unmask])