Washington, DC—The Endocrine Society endorsed new legislation introduced today by Sen. Dick Durbin called the American Cures Act. The proposed bill would create a trust fund to support a mandatory funding stream for biomedical research.
Research funded by federal dollars has resulted in significant advances in the prevention and treatment of some of the nation’s most prevalent diseases, at a fraction of the cost of simply managing these conditions. However recent budget cuts and the effects of sequestration jeopardize future life-saving discoveries.
“Biomedical research plays a critical role in the health and well-being of all Americans,” said Teresa Woodruff, PhD, president of the Endocrine Society. “The Endocrine Society commends Senator Durbin for recognizing biomedical research funding should be mandatory, not discretionary.”
The trust fund created by the bill would provide funding to the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense Health Program, and Veterans Medical & Prosthetics Research Program. Each year, the bill would increase funding for each agency and program at a rate of 5 percent.
“We appreciate Senator Durbin’s continued leadership in championing for biomedical research,” said Woodruff. “We also acknowledge that sustainable growth in lifesaving research will continue to be stunted until Congress repeals austerity measures, including the Budget Control Act and sequestration.”
About Endocrine Society
Endocrinologists are at the core of solving the most pressing health problems of our time, from diabetes and obesity to infertility, bone health, and hormone-related cancers. The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians who care for people with hormone-related conditions.
The Society has more than 18,000 members, including scientists, physicians, educators, nurses, and students in 122 countries. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @TheEndoSociety and @EndoMedia.
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