IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 363

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal investment in biomedical research should be increased by $2,000,000,000 in

fiscal year 1999.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 12, 1998

Mr. GEKAS (for himself and Mr. PORTER) submitted the following resolution;

which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that

the Federal investment in biomedical research should

be increased by $2,000,000,000 in fiscal year 1999.

Whereas past investments in biomedical research have resulted in better health, an improved quality of life for all

Americans and a reduction in national health care expenditures;

Whereas the Nation’s commitment to biomedical research has

expanded the base of scientific knowledge about health

and disease and revolutionized the practice of medicine;

Whereas the Federal Government represents the single largest contributor to biomedical research conducted in the

United States;
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Whereas biomedical research continues to play a vital role in

the growth of this Nation’s biotechnology, medical device,

and pharmaceutical industries;

Whereas the origin of many of the new drugs and medical devices currently in use is based in biomedical research supported by the National Institutes of Health;

Whereas women have traditionally been underrepresented in

medical research protocols, yet are severely affected by

diseases including breast cancer, which will kill over

44,000 women this year; ovarian cancer which will claim

another 14,800 lives; and, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders;

Whereas research sponsored by the National Institutes of

Health is responsible for the identification of genetic

mutations relating to nearly 100 diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease,

osteoporosis, many forms of cancer, and immune deficiency disorders;

Whereas many Americans still face serious and life-threatening health problems, both acute and chronic;

Whereas neurodegenerative diseases of the elderly, such as

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease threaten to destroy

the lives of millions of Americans, overwhelm the Nation’s health care system, and bankrupt the Medicare and

Medicaid programs;

Whereas 33 million Americans annually suffer from injuries

resulting from trauma;

Whereas 4 million Americans are currently infected with the

hepatitis C virus, an insidious liver condition that can

lead to inflammation, cirrhosis, and cancer as well as

liver failure;
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Whereas 200,000 Americans are now suffering from AIDS

and hundreds of thousands more with HIV infection;

Whereas cancer remains a comprehensive threat to any tissue

or organ of the body at any age, and remains a top cause

of morbidity and mortality;

Whereas the extent of psychiatric and neurological diseases

poses considerable challenges in understanding the workings of the brain and nervous system;

Whereas recent advances in the treatment of HIV illustrate

the promise research holds for even more effective, accessible, and affordable treatments for persons with HIV;

Whereas infants and children are the hope of our future, yet

they continue to be the most vulnerable and underserved

members of our society;

Whereas approximately one out of every five American men

will develop prostate cancer and over 40,000 men will die

from prostate cancer each year;

Whereas diabetes, both insulin and non-insulin forms, afflicts

16 million Americans and places them at risk for acute

and chronic complications, including blindness, kidney

failure, atherosclerosis and nerve degeneration;

Whereas the emerging understanding of the principles of

biomimetrics have been applied to the development of

hard tissue such as bone and teeth as well as soft tissue,

and this field of study holds great promise for the design

of new classes of biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic and analytical reagents;

Whereas research sponsored by the National Institutes of

Health will map and sequence the entire human genome

by 2005, leading to a new era of molecular medicine that

will provide unprecedented opportunities for the preven-
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tion, diagnoses, treatment, and cure of diseases that currently plague society;

Whereas the fundamental way science is conducted is changing at a revolutionary pace, demanding a far greater investment in emerging new technologies, research training

programs, and in developing new skills among scientific

investigators;

Whereas this proposal is the first step toward doubling the

National Institutes of Health funding in five years;

Whereas funds necessary to meet this proposal may come

from budget surpluses, budget offsets, and the regular

appropriations process;

Whereas the American economy’s outstanding performance

may result in budget surpluses, which the American people support using to increase biomedical research funded

by the National Institutes of Health; and

Whereas polling data shows that Americans support a doubling of the Federal investment in biomedical research:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved,

2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

3 This resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Biomedical Revi4 talization Resolution of 1998’’.

5 SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

6 It is the sense of the House of Representatives that

7 funding for the National Institutes of Health should be

8 increased by $2,000,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 and that
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1 the budget resolution appropriately reflect sufficient funds

2 to achieve this objective.

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