Larry - I am confused. Is the 9% increase in NIH funding really a
"transfer" of budget funds, to be taken from social/educational programs
for the disadvantaged and poor? If it is, lacking any convincing evidence
to support such a funding reduction for people who can't pay for their
heat, kids who need supplemental help to learn to read, and for youth with
a proclivity for anti-social behavior without summer rec programs, I am not
celebrating nor am I writing to anyone congratulating them on their "wisdom
and compassion."
Even assumming these funds do NOT come from other successful and needed
programs, is this what we have fought for? An ambiguous statement from
Varmus that indicates he might be in favor of funneling some higher level
for Parkinson's?
We need to know more.
Bob Dolezal
At 12:01 PM 6/24/98, Larry Hoffheimer wrote:
>Yesterday, June 23, 1998, the House Labor-HHS Appropriations subcommittee
>approved the FY 1999 appropriations bill which was drafted by Congressman
>John Porter, R.ILL, the subcommittee chairman. The bill will be sent to
>the full committee and the House after the July 4th recess.
>
>NIH receives a 9% increase in overall funding that would go to two
>important areas identified by NIH Director Harold Varmus. Those are
>genetic medicine and neuroscience which, according to the committee,
>"promises insights into Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease".
>
>This language, is very promising, indeed. It reflects the House
>Appropriations committee's interest and desire to increase funding for
>Parkinson's disease and clearly is the result of all of your grass roots
>efforts.
>
>We need to write Porter and congratulate him on his efforts, wisdom and
>compassion.Also continue your communications with the other member of the
>full House Appropriations committee enlisting their support for the
>subcommittee bill.
>
>If you have any questions please call either Bill Turenne or me at (800)
>331-4673.
>
>Larry Hoffheimer
>Washington Counsel
>National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
