The Academy of Radiology Research thanks Congress and the President for their support of the omnibus appropriations bill. This legislation contains a $1 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including a $10 million increase for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB).
The NIH is the world's premier medical research institution, and its support of groundbreaking research improves care and saves lives. Imaging research supported by the NIH—and especially by the NIBIB—provides patients and physicians with new and improved tools for the early detection and effective treatment of disease. In addition, imaging technology is one of our country's strongest exports, and the NIBIB helps to drive the American economy by supporting the research, development, and manufacture of that technology.
Dr. Jonathan Lewin, the President of the Academy and the Chairman of Radiology at Johns Hopkins, thanked members of Congress for standing in support of medical imaging innovation. "Because of your approval of the omnibus legislation, the NIBIB will be able to continue its important work. Patients, physicians, and researchers across the country thank you for your leadership in getting NIH funding moving in the right direction again."
The Academy is also grateful to the imaging research community for its grassroots advocacy work on behalf of the NIH. Throughout the year, and especially during the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in December, researchers visited the Academy's website to send over 7,000 emails to Capitol Hill. "Thank you for your advocacy. These emails played a critical role in ensuring Congressional support of the NIH," emphasized Renee Cruea, the Academy's Executive Director.
In addition to the funding increases, the omnibus legislation contains several provisions of interest to imaging researchers, including recommendations that the NIH establish:
- Policies for competing and noncompeting grants that are consistent with the funding increase;
- Additional research programs on Alzheimer's disease;
- An Administrative Burden Reduction Workgroup;
- Workshops on patient enrollment in clinical trials;
- A strategic plan for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs); and
- A plan to place additional scrutiny on both intramural and extramural researchers who receive grants of $1.5 million or more.
The Academy looks forward to working closely with the NIH and the NIBIB on the implementation of these Congressional recommendations.