News Alerts
Washington DC, January 18, 2012
Fiscal Year 2012 Federal Budget Provisions and Digestive Health
We are pleased to acknowledge and thank all of the people who step forth as advocates on behalf of those affected by functional GI and motility disorders. We appreciate the response of U.S. Congressional Members to the calls by IFFGD and advocates to provide federal funding in areas important to the digestive health community.
Here are several provisions included in the Fiscal Year 2012 Omnibus Appropriations bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President at the close of 2011. (An omnibus appropriations bill is a consolidated version of several appropriations bills.)
Support for Veterans with Gulf War Illness
A high number of veterans deployed in the Persian Gulf region now have functional GI disorders. These disorders are a major component of what is termed, “Gulf War Illness.” The Fiscal Year 2012 budget dedicates funding specifically for Gulf War Illness research through the Department of Defense.
- 2012 Funding: $10 million.
Support for Medical Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is made up of 27 institutes and centers; it is the nation’s medical research agency and the largest source of funding for medical research in the world. NIH support goes to scientists in universities and research institutions in every state and around the globe.
- 2012 Funding: $30.7 billion, an increase of $300 million over Fiscal Year 2011.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is the principal NIH institute that conducts and supports research into digestive diseases, and the bulk of NIH’s functional GI and motility disorders (FGIMDs) research.
- 2012 Funding: $1.84 billion, an increase of $8.22 million over Fiscal Year 2011.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) is an NIH institute that conducts and supports research related to the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of children, adults, and families. NICHD supports research regarding FGIMDs in children.
- 2012 Funding: $1.32 billion, an increase of $6.05 million over Fiscal Year 2011.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is an NIH institute that conducts and supports research to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease. NIEHS supports research on environmental factors that may impact the onset of FGIMD symptoms.
- 2012 Funding: $686.87 million, an increase of $3.15 million over Fiscal Year 2011.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is an NIH institute that conducts and supports research with respect to the aging process and diseases and other special problems and needs of the aged. NIA supports research relating to FGIMDs in elderly people.
- 2012 Funding: $1.10 billion, an increase of $5.05 million over Fiscal Year 2011.
TheNational Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) is a newly created NIH center. It is part of reorganization at the NIH to make it more patient-focused, consolidating some current programs into existing centers and establishing the new NCATS. The goal is to increasingly focus on translating scientific discoveries into patient-oriented treatments and outcomes. NCATS will develop new models for public-private ventures that will more rapidly turn basic research into treatments for patients.
- 2012 Funding: $576.46 million, no comparable funding in Fiscal Year 2011.
Washington DC, August 15, 2011
Helping veterans with GI disorders. Campaign to increase research and improve care for FGIMDs-affected soldiers gains ground. Find more here.
Washington DC, June 16, 2011
Efforts by IFFGD and grassroots advocates working with legislators have resulted in the introduction of the first ever federal research bill focused on functional GI and motility disorders. Find more here.
Washington DC, April 29, 2010
In an historic action, the Congressional Resolution H. Res. 1309 in support of IBS and functional GI disorders research, awareness, and improved care was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. Now it needs majority support to pass.
The Resolution was drafted by IFFGD. Find more here.
Washington DC, April 12-13, 2010
Twenty-eight digestive health advocates joined with IFFGD in Washington, DC to visit congressional offices. Along with patients, family members and friends, physicians, and scientists we urged Members of Congress to support 3 critical issues:
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Introduction of the IBS and Functional GI Disorders Research and Treatment Act.
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Introduction of a Congressional Resolution recognizing the need for increased IBS awareness and research.
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Support of a substantial increase in FY 2011 NIH funding for bio-medical research, including expansion of the federally supported functional GI and motility disorders research portfolio.
Washington DC, March 7-8, 2010
Bill Norton and Dane Christiansen from IFFGD participated in the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) 20th Annual Public Policy Forum in Washington, DC. The DDNC is the leading public policy advocacy organization in Washington for persons affected with digestive diseases. A diverse group of advocates, patients, health care providers and industry representatives met with House and Senate lawmakers and their legislative staffs to discuss broad topics of interest to the digestive diseases community, including bolstering research and improving patient care.
Wisconsin, February 24, 2010
Bill Norton and Dane Christiansen from IFFGD met with key congressional staff in the district offices of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI-2nd) and Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI-1st). We were joined by patient advocate Sue Eggold in Rep. Ryan’s office. Our purpose was to inform them about digestive health issues and urge bipartisan support for a Congressional Resolution that recognizes April as IBS Awareness Month.
This type of action can have broad benefits by stimulating critical research and improved care for patients and families. You can join this effort. Please visit this IFFGD web page for additional information. Thank you.
Washington DC, January 21, 2010
Over the past 2 weeks IFFGD representatives visited several more Senate and House offices in Washington DC (see our Jan 7, 2010 post below) seeking support for IFFGD's drafted Congressional Awareness Resolution, and for the IBS and Functional GI Disorders Research and Treatment Act. Offices visited included Sen. Herb Kohl of WI, Rep. Gwen Moore of the 4th District WI, and Rep. Michael Burgess of the 26th District TX. If you’re a constituent of any of these we’ve recently visited, now is a good time to contact them on behalf of these digestive health issues.
Washington DC, January 7, 2010
Today IFFGD representatives in Washington DC visited two Senate offices, (Sen. McCain of AZ and Sen. Feingold of WI), and one House office (Rep. Tammy Baldwin of the 2nd District WI) to better inform them of the digestive health issues facing patients and families, and the need to support research to improve care and treatment. In particular, we currently are seeking support for a Congressional Awareness Resolution and for the IBS and Functional GI Disorders Research and Treatment Act, both drafted by IFFGD. We will continue to follow-up with these congressional leaders as well as with others on Capitol Hill. More »
Washington DC, December 21, 2009
Of all the disorders of digestive function, IBS is the most studied and among the most frequently occurring. For that reason, it effectively serves as the model for dozens of chronic, painful disorders that occur in segments throughout the entire digestive tract.
That is one reason it was so distressing when U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona singled out as being wasteful, federal support earmarked for an IBS research center. He seemingly is ill informed on the topic.
Senator McCain is far from alone in his lack of knowledge about IBS and digestive conditions. His repeated public statements are a symptom of a much broader problem – a huge lack of public awareness. That lack of awareness has made it difficult to garner support for research funding for many digestive disorders. Lack of research increases the risk that persons with these disorders will not receive adequate care and treatment.
Today (12/21/09) IFFGD hand-delivered to Senator McCain’s Washington DC office a packet of information which will help inform the Senator and his staff on this issue. We will continue to follow-up with Senator McCain and other federal legislators and regulators.
You can help. You can take effective action. Go to our legislative alerts web page to find out how.
Washington DC, December 16, 2009
The U.S. Fiscal Year 2010 Omnibus Appropriations Bill was signed into law by President Obama. It contains a provision to increase funding support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by 2.3% over Fiscal Year 2009. Of interest to the digestive health community is:
- 2.7% increase, to $1.32 billion, for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The NICHD’s research mission can play an important role in studying the causes and discovering better treatments for digestive diseases in children.
- 2.7% increase, to $1.8 billion, for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK oversees the majority of digestive disorder research at NIH for functional gastrointestinal (GI) and motility conditions.
More funding specifically for functional GI and motility disorders research at the NIH is needed. It will take effective action to make this happen. IFFGD Advocates will continue to work to ensure that digestive health issues are addressed.
Washington DC, May 1, 2009
IFFGD was again honored to be given the opportunity to present testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding the fiscal year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill. The bill covers funding for a broad range of programs and activities affecting the lives of every American, including funding for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH funding is of vital concern to the digestive disease community.