Congress Passes Slimmed Down Appropriations Bill Funding FDA, NIH and CDC

After a November 13, 2007 Presidential veto of the appropriations bill funding the NIH and CDC, on December 19 the Senate and House passed a substantially smaller appropriations package that President Bush is expected to sign.

The bill provides the following funding for FY 2008:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH funding is virtually frozen at $28.942 billion, a 0.46% increase over FY 2007. The National Heart Blood and Lung Institute (NHLBI) receives a mere 0.02% increase.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, which oversees pacemakers and ICDs, receives $179 million, a 4.7% increase over FY 2007.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
CDC’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program receives a 12.7% increase over 2007 funding levels, meaning additional states will be eligible to receive those programs.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The Rural and Community Access to AEDs Program Funding was cut by 1.7%. As is, the program receives more grants applications than it can fill.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please contact Nevena Minor, Manager of Legislative Affairs, at nminor@HRSonline.org or (202) 464-3431.