On September 18, the Endocrine Society joined over four hundred scientific, medical, and patient advocacy organizations to rally for medical research and visit congressional offices and to urge them to protect funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We also launched a new online advocacy campaign to amplify our Hill Day message. Congress must secure funding for NIH and other federal agencies by October 1 or risk a federal government shutdown. Given the looming deadline, the plan that has emerged on Capitol Hill is that the House of Representatives will vote on Friday, September 19 on a short-term funding bill known as a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will keep the federal government running through November 21 at current funding levels. The Republicans can only lose two votes to pass the CR. Following the vote, the House will recess until after October 1. The Senate is expected to vote on the CR on September 29. There are still significant differences between the Democrats and Republicans, so it is not clear if both chambers will be able to pass the CR and the President sign by October 1. Consequently, it is critical that every member of the House and Senate hear from constituents about the need to complete a funding bill and our Hill Day was especially important as is our online campaign. Please do not wait and take action today. If Congress passes a CR, the idea is they would be able to work out their differences by the new November deadline.
Please take one minute to watch this special message from Endocrine Society President Carol A. Lange, PhD, about funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and help us protect your research from proposed cuts.
The Endocrine Society is urging Members of Congress to cosponsor the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA). This legislation would allow Medicare to cover FDA approved anti-obesity-medications (AOM) which are scientifically proven to be effective, and to expand access to Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT) for Obesity which is an effective lifestyle intervention for treating obesity. The Society has endorsed this legislation, and it is critical that your Senators and Representatives hear from you on the importance of cosponsoring TROA. Endocrine Society members are encouraged to take action to share the importance of cosponsoring this legislation. Click here to take action now.
The Endocrine Society takes opportunities to share comments, recommendations, and proposals on our policy priorities with the Congress and federal agencies. Below are links to recent policy communications:
We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.
