Legislative Update

Friends of NIDCR Welcomes Modest Funding Increases for NIH & NIDCR, but Warns It’s Not Enough
President Barack Obama released his FY2011 federal budget on Monday, February 1, 2010 that included modest increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), but not nearly enough to sustain the medical research projects and jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, or economic stimulus package, announced Friends of NIDCR President Dr. Bruce Donoff.

“We have applauded President Obama’s support for medical research and science, especially in these challenging budgetary times” said Dr. Donoff. “However, the FY2011 budget for NIH and NIDCR jeopardizes the significant progress made in medical research and in job creation thanks to the economic stimulus package. We will work with our champions on Capitol Hill to address our concerns.”

President Obama’s FY2011 budget requests:
$32.098 billion for NIH,
which is a $1 billion or 3.5% increase above the FY2010 enacted level of funding.

Also, the FY2011 budget provides:
$423,511,000 for NIDCR,
which is a $10.275 million or 2.48% increase above the FY2010 enacted level.

NIDCR Increase Not Uniform with Other Institutes
Dr. Donoff welcomed the modest increases but noted the increase in NIH funding is not uniformed throughout the Institutes and cited NIDCR’s 2.48% increase.

“Our message has consistently been focused on
advancing oral health research because it provides for a better
quality of life,” said Dr. Donoff. “Therefore, we contend the medical research conducted at NIDCR is beneficial to all facets of society and
merits a uniformed approach to funding.”

In January, FNIDCR President Dr. Donoff sent a letter to President Obama calling for a significant increase of NIH funding for FY2011 to help sustain the medical research projects that commenced as a result of the boost provided by ARRA.

“A robust NIH budget in FY2011 will ensure researchers will continue their invaluable work,” wrote Dr. Donoff in his letter to President Obama. “Otherwise, the scientific and economic momentum generated by ARRA will unfortunately fade away.”