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Category: Health/Medical

President Obama Nominates New NIH Director

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Today, President Barack Obama nominated Francis S. Collins as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Collins served as Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at NIH from 1993-2008. He is a physician-geneticist noted for his discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the Human Genome Project. Dr. Collins received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Yale University, and an M.D. with Honors from the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to NIH, he spent nine years on the faculty of the University of Michigan, where he was an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Collins must now be confirmed by the Senate.

If confirmed, Collins will head a $31 billion agency with roughly 18,000 employees. NIH is on course to receive a modest increase (1.4%) in funding in FY10, over FY09, because of significant funding ($10.4 billion) provided in the Recovery Act. NIH continues to serve as the University of Washington’s largest source of federal grant funding.

White House Press Release

House Committee Chairmen Release Health Care Proposal

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SUMMARY OF DRAFT HOUSE BILL

DRAFT HOUSE BILL

[Provided by the American Hospital Association]

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) today released their draft health care reform legislation. The AHA is reviewing the language and will provide a more detailed summary in the coming days. Based on our initial read, here are some highlights: Continue reading “House Committee Chairmen Release Health Care Proposal”

AAMC Conference Materials Available

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Last week, June 9-10, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) held a conference of government relations representatives. Several topics were discussed including: health care reform, health information technology funding, and Recovery Act opportunities and challenges. Conference materials have been made available in electronic format, and can be accessed via the links below.

ResearchMeansHope.org Campaign

AAMC Legislative Update

HHS Health IT Programs

Discussions over Recovery Act funding included suggestions that universities begin to focus on telling their ARRA success stories, as Members of Congress will likely want to know how funding is being spent in their districts and states. To date, much of the effort employed for ARRA has focused on getting applications out and understanding reporting requirements. However, as 2010 approaches, we can expect many inquiries on how well our institutions are doing in accessing and making proper use of Recovery Act funding. Some Members of Congress (i.e. Senator Carl Levin) have taken to posting Recovery Act spending details for their constituents on their websites.

A session on health care reform, featuring Caya Lewis (Director of Outreach and Public Health Policy, HHS Office of Health Reform), reiterated that President Obama and the leadership in Congress are intently focused on passing a comprehensive bill by the end of this calendar year. Ms. Lewis explained that President Obama seeks a final bill that lowers cost while reducing costs, and increasing choice, quality, and prevention/wellness. The proposed public coverage option continues to be the main sticking point in bringing about a bipartisan bill. A health reform bill is expected on the Senate floor before the August recess, with House consideration and final passage in the fall.

AAU and AAMC Urge Response to Proposed Rule

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The Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) have submitted joint comments (link below) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on strengthening the regulatory framework governing conflicts of interest in federally funded research. 

The letter responds to a May 8 Advance Notice of Proposed Rule Making (ANPRM) issued by NIH on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Public Health Service. 

The comment deadline for the NIH notice is July 7.  Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit comments on the ANPRM and to consider using the AAU/AAMC comments in fashioning their responses.  Continue reading “AAU and AAMC Urge Response to Proposed Rule”

Health Care Providers to Receive Help with Student Debt

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[The following is a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of nearly $200 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support student loan repayments for primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians who want to work at National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sites.

The NHSC is now accepting applications for Loan Repayment Awards funded by $200 million ARRA funds. Applications will be accepted continuously until funds are expended or September 30, 2010, whichever comes first.

The NHSC Loan Repayment Program provides $50,000 (or the outstanding balance of qualifying student loans if it is less than $50,000), tax free, to primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians in exchange for two years of service at an approved site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Upon completion of the service commitment, clinicians may be eligible to apply for additional support for extended service. Continue reading “Health Care Providers to Receive Help with Student Debt”