http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Federal-Dec2001.asp

December 21, 2001

Before adjourning for the winter recess, Congress voted to appropriate nearly a 15% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In doing so, lawmakers voted for continued growth of the nation's investment in biomedical research.

Congress also provided approximately parallel increases for the two institutes that conduct or fund a majority of the multiple sclerosis research at the NIH—the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The President is expected to sign this legislation in January.

Early estimates show that Congress provided NIH with an overall FY'02 increase of $2.99 billion (14.7%), and respective FY'02 increases of $284.66 million (13.8%) and $151.40 million (12.9%) for NIAID and NINDS. These estimates are preliminary and subject to possible modification.

Although this year's appropriation did not quite meet our goal for a 16.5% FY'02 NIH increase, the approximately 15% increase is particularly commendable considering the tremendous funding pressures facing Congress this year—such as increased national security needs, diminished tax revenues, education reform, and bioterrorism efforts.

Maintaining the trend in increased NIH spending is thanks in large part to the efforts of Society advocates nationwide. Thousands of email messages, phone calls, and letters were sent to members of Congress to urge support for increased NIH funding.

We are particularly appreciative to our champions in Congress for supporting this large NIH increase, and we look forward to maintaining the trend toward doubling the NIH budget by FY'03.