This was successfully posted to your pofile.
This box will close automatically in a few seconds. Close this window
We don't have an e-mail address on file for you. To use AAFP Connection, you must have an e-mail address in our records. Click Here
Congress Could Move on NIH Reauthorization Before Recessing
The Academy has urged lawmakers to give such translational research a higher profile in the legislation by, among other things, including primary care physicians in a review board that would be responsible for approving studies paid for through the common fund.
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, vowed to push hard for passage of the legislation in the remaining days before this Congress recesses for the November elections. Barton is chairman of the influential Energy and Commerce Committee, which passed the legislation on Wednesday after voting down several amendments from Democrats. Although the reauthorization bill has only a three-year life span, it has been 13 years since the last such measure was passed.
Rapid passage of the bill potentially represents one of the few opportunities lawmakers have to do the “right thing for the right reason,” Barton said at a Sept. 19 hearing on the legislation. The reauthorization measure would reaffirm the importance of the NIH in supporting medical research while imposing new accountability on the agency, he added.
The legislation would request that congressional appropriators boost the NIH budget by 5 percent a year for 2007 through 2009. For at least the first two years, half of that increase is slated to pay for the common fund, which initially tops out at 5 percent of the total NIH budget.
“What the common fund will do is allow NIH to be responsive to new areas of science, things that are unproven, things that institutes on their own cannot do,” NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, M.D., testified at the Sept. 19 hearing.
However, Democrats on the committee complained that the amount of new money the legislation asks for is too small. “Even if the 5 percent is fully appropriated, with half reserved for the common fund, there will not be enough to cover inflation,” said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
This was successfully posted to your pofile.
This box will close automatically in a few seconds. Close this window
We don't have an e-mail address on file for you. To use AAFP Connection, you must have an e-mail address in our records. Click Here
PCMH Is Answer to Medicare Payment Problems
Physician Groups Unite to Call for SGR Repeal
Threatened Medicare Payment Cuts Cause Chaos for FPs
AAFP, Medical Organizations Push for SGR Repeal
Focus of Conference Call is Shared Savings, Advance Payment
FPs Can Expect Slight Changes in Medicare Pay for 2012
HHS Approach to Essential Health Benefits Falls Flat
CMS Delays Implementation of 'Sunshine Act'
Congress Works Out Temporary Solution to SGR Cut
Community-based Residencies Would Benefit From House Bill
GME Funding to Remain Level in 2012
House Rejects Measure to Block Medicare Pay Cut
House Addresses Medicare Payment Cut
AAFP Backs Tavenner as New CMS Administrator
Supercommittee Fails to Address SGR
Overcoming Scarce Resources to Enact Health Care Reform
Medicare Payment: Value Is as Important as Volume
AAFP President-elect Makes Return Visit to Capitol Hill
Insurance Exchanges, CO-OPs Might Provide Opportunity for FPs
AAFP Members Speak Out on Title VII Funding
Campaign Addresses Need for Medicare Payment Reform
AAFP Continues to Press Congress for Payment Solution
AAFP Leaders Take On Washington
Campaign Focuses on GME Outreach
'Family Medicine Matters,' AAFP Members Tell Congress
AAFP Outlines Suggested Changes for CO-OP Program
Groups Call on Supercommittee to Address Medical Liability Reform
Grassroots Efforts to Repeal SGR Continue
Bill Linking Mandatory Education to Prescribing Not Needed
Blended Payment Model Gives Boost to Primary Care Services
AAFP Joins AMA, Other Groups in Calling for SGR Repeal
Eliminating SGR May Come With High Price
Tobacco Oversight Must Include Cigars, Say AAFP, Other Groups
AAFP Rallies Congress of Delegates on Medicare Payment
AMA Task Force Focuses on Fixing the SGR
2012 Physician Fee Schedule Needs Work, Says AAFP
New Task Force Takes Steps to Better Value Primary Care
Deficit-reduction Plan Must Eliminate SGR, Says AAFP
Physicians File Lawsuit Over RUC, CMS Relationship
Policy Brief Explains HHS Insurance Exchange Plans
