FABBS Responds to House Committee’s NIH Reform

Earlier this summer, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) invited feedback on the Committee’s framework for National Institutes of Health (NIH) reform (see FABBS’ June 20 article for additional information).

FABBS responded to this important opportunity, expressing a shared commitment to supporting an impactful and efficient NIH. FABBS recognizes opportunities for improvement and the unintended consequences of past inconsistent approaches to establishing new institutes and centers. FABBS welcomes the focus on “whole individuals and all populations across the entire lifespan.”

FABBS encouraged the Committee to put aside the specific recommendations made in the framework and instead focus on the first, initiating and completing an inclusive and comprehensive review of the NIH. FABBS also raised foundational questions that should drive the review process:

  • How do we measure and evaluate the current NIH structure and investment portfolio? 
  • What is and is not working?
  • How has science, medicine, and our understanding of health evolved since the last comprehensive NIH reauthorization in 2006?
  • How can this new knowledge drive updates to the NIH?

Additionally, FABBS highlighted the efficient and effective coordinating role of the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research, citing two recent reports:

Reauthorizations of major federal agencies can be many years in the making, crossing election cycles and leadership parties. Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R–LA), Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is also working on NIH reauthorization. FABBS responded to Senator Cassidy’s Request for Information last year and in May he released a white paper, NIH in the 21st Century: Ensuring Transparency and American Biomedical Leadership. FABBS will continue to engage with Congressional offices to make recommendations and share concerns of the behavioral and brain sciences community. 

[See FABBS Response to E&C NIH Framework]

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