H.R.3293, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 was recently voted on by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The following summarizes information applicable to Heart Rhythm Society members and the cardiology community.
» View Obama Administration statement on H.R. 3293 (PDF, 34K).
House of Representatives Labor-HHS Appropriation Legislation
On July 24, 2009, the House approved H.R. 3293: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010. This act was introduced July 22 by Rep. David Obey (D-WI7) and passed with 97 percent of Democrats supporting and 89% of Republicans opposing. (Visit www.opencongress.org to review legislator's votes.)
The bill provides $30.966 billion for National Institutes of Health (NIH) which is a $941.764 million increase over FY 2009, and a $500 million increase over the President's request. In addition, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will receive $3.123 billion in 2010.
Senate Labor HHS Appropriation Legislation
On July 30, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its fiscal year 2010 spending bill (H.R. 3293) for health, education and labor programs by a vote of 29-1.
The bill includes $30.8 billion for NIH, an increase of $442 million over the FY 2009 level. This is equal to the President's request (1.4 percent) and is $500 million below the level included in the bill that passed the House July 24 (as mentioned above). NIH did not receive a larger increase because the agency received $10 billion in February in the Recovery Act.
The Heart Rhythm Society is delighted by the following language in the Senate Appropriation Committee report and thanks the Committee for adding it:
“Heart Rhythm Disorders —The Committee notes that more research is needed to understand the causes of heart rhythm disorders and to develop more effective treatments. The Committee urges the NHBLI to intensify its investments in basic research, clinical investigations and trials.”
The purpose of a Committee report that accompanies the Appropriation legislation is to strongly urge an Agency's use of their fnding.The Agency will follow the recommendations in the Committee report.
It is not yet clear when H.R.3293 will move to the Senate floor. The Senate is scheduled to adjourn for its summer break on August 7; thus it is likely that a vote will not come until September 2009.
