May
31, 2001
To: |
IC Directors |
From: |
Director, Executive Secretariat |
Subject: |
IC Directors' Meeting Highlights
— May 24, 2001 |
I. Administrative Issues
Dr. Kirschstein noted that NIH made a strong case against consolidating
our public affairs offices, but it is unclear how all the consolidation
efforts will play out. She plans to create a group similar to the FARB
to deal with personnel consolidation issues. Dr. Kirschstein is working
with Mr. Sontag in OS and will ask an IC Director to chair this group.
She promised to complete a roster of the NIH restructuring committee and
distribute it at the next meeting.
Dr. Kirschstein has asked Dr. Lenfant to chair a "soft-landing" committee
to deal with post-doubling issues. While it may be premature to discuss
this topic at the upcoming NIH Budget Retreat, the sense of the group
was that it should be discussed as soon as possible.
Mr. Smolonsky reported that Senator Jeffords has agreed not to switch
his party affiliation until after a tax cut bill passes the Congress
and goes to the President. The Senate is in recess next week, and Senator
Jeffords is expected to change his affiliation sometime within the following
two weeks. Senators Lott and Daschle are negotiating a new power-sharing
agreement. Senator Kennedy will chair NIH's authorizing committee; Senator
Harkin will chair our appropriations committee.
II. NIH Budget Retreat
The program is shaping up for the June 25 NIH Budget Retreat.
Dr. Katz will send participants background material and FARB recommendations
for FY02 and FY03 about a week in advance. Drs. Klausner and Collins are
putting together a session on scientific initiatives, and Drs. Maddox
and Baldwin are chairing a group to prepare for a discussion on disease
reporting and population reporting. Dr. Katz suggested using a few diseases
to model the discussion of disease and population reporting; Dr. Hodes
will provide Alzheimer's information as background. Dr. Kirschstein suggested
continuing the discussion of disease and population reporting at the NIH
Leadership Forum in September if necessary. Ms. Quantius noted that NIH
currently reports more than 300 diseases.
III. Information Items
The NIH FY03 budget submission is due to the Department June
18. Dr. Kirschstein reported that the Secretary intends to take a very
hands-on approach to this budget. He has assured her that NIH is on track
for the doubling, which would mean an increase of about 18 percent in
FY03. The Secretary has said he wants bold, creative, and imaginative
thinking on this budget.
Dr. Kirschstein reported on the Senate appropriations hearing and
reminded IC Directors and OD Staff members to read every word of letters
they sign, especially letters to the Congress.
Dr. Hyman attended the recent World Health Assembly with Secretary
Thompson. The Secretary did a superb job of turning around delegations
that were hostile toward the United States on intellectual property
issues. Dr. Hyman gave kudos to Dr. Freire for the clarity of her points
and analysis on this topic.
Dr. Kirschstein said that the Secretary is very concerned about foreign
travel, especially when multiple HHS employees want to attend a meeting
abroad. Mr. Itteilag is working on this issue.
Dr. Keusch is working with a number of ICs to organize an international
conference in September on stigma and global health. Dr. Kirschstein
will prepare a memo to the Secretary suggesting that the Secretary invite
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to give opening remarks at the conference.
At the June 14 IC Directors' meeting, Drs. Klausner and Collins will
update the group on the efforts to sequence the mouse genome and the
next steps after sequencing.
At a future meeting, Dr. Kirschstein wants to discuss policies of
drug companies regarding providing drugs to the indigent. Dr. Rabson
noted that drug companies are worried about being accused of withholding
life-saving cancer drugs.
Dr. Kramer discussed the Secretary's prevention initiative. The Secretary
wants to put prevention at the forefront of medicine and has asked all
agencies to provide initiatives or study results that he can announce
prominently. He hopes to make a series of announcements concerning children's
disease prevention issues in late August. Secretary Thompson has asked
for a list of any "big announcements" we anticipate making
for the next six months. The Secretary also wants to issue "transparent"
prevention grants, in which money will come from various agencies but
will be issued through a centralized request for applications from HRSA;
the main thrust of this program will involve community services.
Dr. Kirschstein announced that Mr. Lambert is now serving as the Acting
NIH Legal Advisor.
Karen Pelham O'Steen
cc: OD Staff
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