Coalition of Scientists and AIDS Advocates Calls on Congress to Support Clinton AIDS Research Reform Proposals

01/28/93 10:36

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STHE SECRETARY OF HALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WASHINGTON, O C. 26101
The Honorable Albert Gore, Jr.
President of the Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Mr. President:
We wish to offer our views on S. 1, the National Institutes of
Health Revitalization Act of 1993, as reported by the Labor and
Human Resources Committee. It is our understanding that this
bill is scheduled for a floor vote on Tuesday, February 2.
In summary, we support the bill.
We fully support extending specific authorities for selected NIH
activities. NIH's important functions are vital to the health of
Americans and help enhance the competitiveness of this Nation
through strengthening our science and biomedical research base.
We have some reservations about the detailed research and
administrative directives and other overly specific requirements
in the bill. However, we understand Congress's decision to move
in this direction given the history of this bill and the
disagreements over it between Congress and the past
Administration.
We are particularly supportive of provisions in s. 1 which are
aimed at improving the health of women. It is important that we
all ensure that resources are devoted to conditions which
uniquely affect women and expand efforts to include women in
clinical trials.
Finally, the Clinton Administration supports strengthening AIDS
research programs. We believe the bill provides a framework for
directing AIDS research in an effective manner.
We are advised by the office of Management and Budget that there
is no objection to the presentation of this report and that
enactment of S. 1 would be in accord with the program of the
President.
Sincerely,
Donna E. Shalala