:: American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc ::

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Now is the Time to Take Action for FY04 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Funding - UPDATE

For several years, there have been significant gains in funding for medical research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, this year, the Appropriations Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved only a small percentage increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.

The increase in funding for the NIH was substantially smaller that recommended by the majority of voluntary health agencies and others concerned with our national research program.

The increase will barely keep pace with the cost of ongoing research and allow for very few new initiatives.

Now is the time for autoimmune research advocates to show Congress that we are concerned about next year�s research budget.

Medical research should be a priority funding issue for our country. In order for the NIH Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan, introduced to Congress this year, to be fully funded next year, the level of funding for the NIH needs to be significantly increased.

There are �Dear Colleague� letters circulating in the House and Senate asking for increased funds for research. Please contact your Representatives and Senators and ask them to sign the letter on their side of Congress.

For Representatives: Please urge them to sign the letter asking support for an 8 - 10 % increase in funding for the NIH. The House voted on July 10th for a mere 2.5% increase for the NIH in FY04. This increase is not enough to maintain a strong investment in the future health of America.

For Senators: Please urge them to sign the letter asking for �the highest possible funding level� that can be made available for the NIH.

Reiterate the need to fully fund the Congressionally-mandated NIH Autoimmune Diseases Research Plan that will provide funding for all autoimmune diseases rather than for only a targeted few.

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