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REMARKS BY: TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PLACE: Brown University, Funding for medical research, Providence, Rhode Island DATE: March 9, 2001
Thank you Laura (Freid) for that introduction.
I am honored to be here today at Brown University to tour the facilities and to see, first-hand how N-I-H funding is being used. This is a fascinating place- a place where the wonders of the imagination are manifested in innovative and life-enhancing medical achievements.
I just had the opportunity to see the neuro-prostetic device. To say that was amazing would be an understatement. But without actually coming here, and seeing it with my own eyes I don't think that I could have ever fully understood what it could do.
In fact, I think that a lot of Americans, myself included, don't fully appreciate the wonders of medical science that goes on everyday. in places like Brown University.
Sure in some abstract, faraway concept we know that it's happening- but to see it today- and see the people who get down and dirty with it everyday and then recognize the changes in real lives this can make is truly inspiring.
This is a tremendous service researchers do for all Americans and for all of mankind, and I want to thank the men and women in the Brown University medical and research staffs for everything that they do.
President Bush wants to make sure that this kind of life-enhancing and life-saving research can continue- and expand. That is why he is committed to complete the doubling of N-I-H's funding by 2003. He has taken the first major step by increasing N-I-H's budget $2.75 billion for next year.
Over the past two years, Brown University has received nearly $50 million in N-I-H research funding (The total for FY 99/00 was $27.9 million all of DHHS--nearly 99% of which is NIH, The YTD for FY 2000/01 is $21.3 million). And even though that's a lot of money- so much more can be done.
I was at the N-I-H campus in Maryland last week where I met some fantastic people and saw some of the great work that is being done there. But I learned that only about 25% of the grant requests that come into N-I-H can be filled.
A lot of these requests that have to be turned down are for great things. But unfortunately, we just haven't been able to make it happen. Now we can.
I believe that as Americans we have always had the will to fight these diseases, now we have the resources, and we must use them.
In talking with Brown University Interim President Sheila Blumstein I understand the growing need for money for facilities- so that this money that N-I-H will award will go to places where it is most effectively used.
I believe that Americans understand the importance of medical research and N-I-H. They understand the benefits that we all derive from strong public support for basic biomedical research.
They understand that if we want to impact the tragedies of Alzheimer's disease, or diabetes, or AIDS, or cancer, or heart disease, or thousands of other health conditions N-I-H and research institutions like Brown are the places to start.
As you know, President Bush is proposing the largest one-year increase ever for N-I-H - up $2.75 billion, or 13 percent. This funding level will enable N-I-H to support the highest level of new and competing research project grants, and the highest level of total research project grants, in N-I-H history.
Grants that will help Brown University and research and medical institutions across this country take on the challenges that will save lives- and will make lives better. And these discoveries and breakthroughs won't just help Americans, they will help all mankind.
I believe this is money well-spent. More important, it is part of the careful design of the President's budget blueprint. His plan is responsible and reasoned.
It's a plan that nurtures our nation's priorities - like education, Social Security, Medicare, defense and health - while at the same time accomplishing the largest debt reduction in the nation's history, and providing tax relief for all Americans.
This is a plan for investing in our future and supporting our urgent needs, even as it exercises balance and restraint.
Throughout my Department, we have identified a number of priority needs. We will propose new and growing resources for those priorities. But at the same time, we will hold overall growth at a level that can be sustained through the years ahead.
In addition to biomedical research, one top priority, of course, is Medicare. This program must not only be protected for the future, it must be improved and moderzined. Every penny of Medicare taxes and premiums must be committed to preserving and improving this program.
Likewise, we need to provide a stronger health care safety net for those most in need. Our budget will propose increasing the number of Community and Migrant Health Centers by more than a third over the next five years. And at the same time, we would commit another $100 million to improve access to treatment for substance abuse.
America also needs to increase its support for our families, and for the charitable organizations that can make such a positive difference in families' and children's lives. President Bush's budget plan will include funding for several new programs for families and children. Our families are the bedrock of our nation, and we need to do our part to help them.
Finally, HHS needs to look hard at its own operations and improve the way we do business. We need to be more responsive and more efficient to give taxpayers their money's worth.
Overall, the President's budget blueprint is a responsible and sustainable plan for our nation. It invests in our families, in our health, and in our future.
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