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From: Kelly Abbett <[log in to unmask]>
To: "panlist (E-mail)" <[log in to unmask]>
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Subject: Parkinson's Action Network -- Draft Letter 1/7/99
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 17:19:20 -0500
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From the Parkinson's Action Network
Please respond to [log in to unmask] -- do NOT respond directly to the
sending address.
Thank you.
--------------------------------------
Draft Letter to the NIH January 7, 1999
DRAFT
Harold E. Varmus, Ph.D.
Director
National Institutes of Health
Shannon Building, Room B1-44
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
January XX, 1999
Dear Dr. Varmus:
We are writing to ensure that as the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
determines how to
allocate its appropriations for Fiscal 1999 (which includes the historic
$2 billion increase added by the Congress) the appropriate level of
funding is provided for Parkinson's-focused research,
consistent with the provisions of the Morris K. Udall Act of 1997 as
well as the Fiscal 1999
funding level proposed in the NIH budget documents for Parkinson's
disease.
The NIH budget which was submitted to Congress prior to the completion
of the Congressional appropriations for Fiscal 1999 indicated that the
NIH intended to spend $106 million for Parkinson's disease. The Morris
K. Udall Act of 1997 expressly authorized $100 million in research
focused on Parkinson's disease. The Conference Report accompanying H.R.
4328, the Act Making Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations for Fiscal 1999, further clarified that "research focused
on Parkinson's disease" is "where the principle focus of the research is
the cause, pathogenesis, and/or potential therapies or treatment for
Parkinson's disease."
We are concerned that, to date, funding for Parkinson's-focused research
has not increased in a fashion consistent with Congressional intent.
The Congress demonstrated strong support for
biomedical research when we approved a $2 billion increase for NIH for
Fiscal 1999, far
exceeding the original budget submitted to Congress last February by the
President. Our
commitment to NIH is clear, and we expect an equal commitment by the NIH
to the letter and
spirit of the laws approved by the Congress.
The Congress has unequivocally stated its expectation that the NIH
provide at least $100 million for Parkinson's -focused research, in the
Morris K. Udall Act of 1997 and the Omnibus
Appropriations Act for Fiscal 1999. And the Congress has provided
sufficient funding to ensure that NIH has the resources to meet that
commitment.
We look forward to receiving the requested NIH report to the
Congressional Appropriations
Committees on its plans for implementing the recommendations outlined in
the report
accompanying the Senate Fiscal 1998 Labor, Health and Human Services,
and Education
Appropriations Act. We will continue to monitor the NIH's progress in
implementing the Morris K. Udall Act, through all available means,
including Congressional oversight hearings, if
necessary. Further, we would be willing to meet with you personally to
discuss this important
matter.
Sincerely,
[Member of Congress]
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