The AAMC joined nearly 350 institutions and organizations that are members of the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research in a Dec. 4 letter to President-elect Joe Biden highlighting the importance and future needs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the nation’s scientific innovation. The AAMC convenes the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research.
The coalition letter expressed gratitude to Biden for his support for science and medical research throughout his career, including a new $300 billion investment in federally funded research and development the president-elect proposed as part of his campaign’s economic recovery plan.
The letter also urged attention to three near- and long-term issues to bolster scientific discovery and improve the nation’s health and economy. The issues outlined are:
- Foundational principles that promote both a thriving scientific enterprise and public trust in science.
- Emergency supplemental funding to allow the NIH to continue making progress against COVID-19 and to resume pre-pandemic research.
- Sustained, robust growth for the NIH’s base budget across scientific disciplines and disease areas.
“As you consider your administration’s budget priorities for FY 2022 and beyond, the Ad Hoc Group recommends an ongoing commitment to meaningful growth above the cost of biomedical research inflation for the NIH. The stability associated with a budget trajectory that not only keeps pace with inflation but also allows investment in new research is essential to ensure we continue to push the boundaries of discovery toward meaningful outcomes for patients,” the letter stated.
As Vice President, Biden became a vocal champion for medical research, serving as a driving force behind the NIH’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative, which was established through the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016.