[Letter to Edward M. Kennedy from Robert Petersdorf]

02 '93 15:42 AAMC 2450 N ST..W.;NWASH. D.C. P.2
Te Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
February 1, 1993
Page 2
The FTE proposal is not clear about the intent of giving the Office of AIDS Research athority
for staff in all parts of the NIH involved in AIDS research. If this is the case, the act of
inserting another layer of administration into the process may delay rather than assist hirig staff
as well as increase the costs of administAring the research programs.
In addition to these specific questions, the Association is concerned with the precedent that may be
established by these proposals. The NIH bill has been the subject of intensive analysis and commet
during the three plus years that it has moved through the legislative process. Yet these provisions, which
represent a significant change in the organizational and functional structure of the NIH, were not made
known until last week. In fact, significant changes were made by the Labor and Human Resources
Committee when it approved the bill on January 27. The scientific community has not been afforded an
appropriate opportunity to comment; no hearings have been held on these proposals. The Association
firmly believes that proposals such as these, which represent significant steps in the evolution of the
organizational structure of the NIH should be accorded a full and open discussion by all interested partes.
The AAMC supports all efforts to facilitate and strengthen the nation's medical research efforts embodied
by the National Instituie of Health. These cormments should not be interpreted as opposition to these
proposals. Instead, these questions are being raised in an effort to gain a fuller appreciation of the
implications of these proposals,:not only for AIDS research programs but the NIH as a whole. The
Association appreciates the efforts of the Congress and the Administration to move forward with this
legislation, which provides many significant enhancements to the NIH. However, we would urge that
changes in the organizational structure of the NIH as proposed in Title XVIII of this bill be undertaken
S only after full] discussion and due deliberation.
V sincerely yours
rsdorf M..