Research Funding for NIH at Risk

Congress currently is deliberating the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2011, which in turn affects funding for federal agencies.  The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the federal government’s premier biomedical research agency that conducts research on areas that include osteoporosis and bone health, does not have its funding for all of Fiscal Year 2011 (Oct. 1, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2011) and may face continuing budget cuts. Reducing NIH’s funding could result in setbacks in osteoporosis and bone health research.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill for Fiscal Year 2011 (H.R. 1) in February, which included over $60 billion of cuts in funding.  The Senate voted on the bill in early March, and the measure did not pass.  Currently, both chambers are continuing to try to come to an agreement on the 2011 budget.

Congress passed several bills this fiscal year that extended government funding for limited periods of time.  Most recently, the President signed a bill on March 18, 2011, which will keep the federal government running through April 8, 2011.  The bill will cut federal spending by $6 billion.  Congress, however, has not yet come to an agreement on the long-term 2011 budget, and some members of Congress have indicated that they will not support another funding extension.  If Congress is unable to reach an agreement on the budget for Fiscal Year 2011, this would result in a shutdown of the federal government until a budget is agreed upon. 

Once a budget for Fiscal Year 2011 is passed by Congress and signed by the President, Congress must then appropriate funds for the federal agencies and its programs.  If the federal budget that is passed for Fiscal Year 2011 includes cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this could lead to cuts in funding for NIH because NIH is a part of HHS.  In light of the current budget situation, and with some congressional members calling for steep budget cuts, there is a possibility that NIH’s funding for Fiscal Year 2011 will be cut for the entire year.  

NIH funds grants for research, including funding for osteoporosis and bone health research, across the nation.  Reducing NIH’s funding could result in setbacks in osteoporosis and bone health research.  Now is a critical time for you to communicate with your Members of Congress on the importance of maintaining NIH funding.  

Make your voice heard on this vital issue! You don’t have to go all the way to Washington to make a difference!  Contact your Members of Congress via email or phone and let them know that you oppose budget cuts to NIH’s funding, which would negatively impact NIH’s ability to conduct important and much needed research on osteoporosis and bone health.