Support the Specter-Harkin Amendment

[Steven Edwards]

The Senate is currently debating their budget resolution on C-SPAN2. The Specter-Harkin Amendment may be discussed today, which would restore funding for the PRC.

If it's discussed, I'll be blogging it.

[Steven Edwards]

Specter's talking now.

[Wise Young]

The Specter-Harkin Amendment is critical not only for spinal cord injury research but for many other conditions. President Bush has cut the NIH budget and the amendment will restore some of the funds, including those needed to support the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Resource Center. The following is a message from the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

February 2006

Support the Specter-Harkin Amendment
Tell Congress to increase vital funding for paralysis health research and quality of life programs

Bush Budget Cuts NIH, CDC Funding

Two weeks ago, we first told you of the cuts to paralysis research and health programs proposed in the President's Fiscal Year 2007 budget. The President's budget would cut funding for 18 of the 19 Institutes that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including those focusing on paralysis research.

In addition to the cuts in medical research, the President's budget also proposes deep cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for disability programs, chronic disease prevention, quality of life programs, and health promotion. Specifically, the proposal cuts nearly $20 million from Chronic Disease programs as well as nearly $15 million from Birth Defects and Developmental Disability programs. In fact, under the President's proposal, the entire CDC Paralysis program, which supports the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, would be completely eliminated.

Senate Can Vote to Increase Public Health Funding

This week, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the Senate Budget Resolution, which sets the overall funding allocations for all federal spending. As currently drafted, the Senate Budget Resolution CUTS funding for medical research and public health programs. While this is a very serious situation, there is a glimmer of hope. This week, (possibly as soon as Tuesday) the Senate will vote on the SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment to increase funding for all health and education programs by $7 billion. The only way to guarantee that paralysis health research and quality of life programs are not only saved from cuts but also receive necessary increases in FY 2007 is for the Senate to pass the SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment.

The bottom line is simple -- if the Budget Resolution CUTS the allocations for medical research and public health programs, the Appropriations bill MUST CUT medical research and public health programs.

The SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment restores health and education funding to the same levels they were at just two years ago. That's right, in just two short years, funding for these critical programs have been cut by $7 billion. If we don't reverse the trend this year, it will only get worse in the future.

The President and Members of Congress can't have it both ways -- if they support medical research and public health programs, they must support a Budget Resolution that increases, not cuts, funding for medical research and health programs over last year's level.

ACTION NEEDED NOW

Call 202-225-3121
and ask to speak with your
Senators

If you are not sure who your Senators are,
click here to find your elected officials.

Ask them to oppose cuts to medical research and public health and stand with you, their constituent, in support of our efforts to increase funding for paralysis research and public health programs. Request that they vote FOR the SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment to increase funding for health and education by $7 billion.

Once connected to the office, ask to speak with the legislative assistant who handles health care or budget issues.
Share with them the information above and share why these programs (paralysis research and the PRC) are important to you, their constituent.
Ask for a commitment from them to support the SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment and any/every effort to increase funding for Function 550 and paralysis research and health programs.
Finally, let them know you will be following the budget process closely and ask them to keep you up to date on what actions they take.
While we will continue to closely monitor the situation, we need your help. All advocates should contact their representatives. Please call TODAY to urge their support for continued funding for the CDC Paralysis Activities in partnership with the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Please keep us up to date on the actions you take by emailing us at Hope@ChristopherReeve.org.

With your help, we will make sure the Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center as well as the many other CDC paralysis programs receive federal funding this year.

Call your Senator today!


Michael Manganiello
Sr. Vice President
Government Relations

The Christopher Reeve Action Network
Go Forward



TAKE ACTION NOW
-----
SUPPORT THE PRC!


Take Action Now
-----
Support the PRC!



"We created the Paralysis Resource Center to help people navigate the chaos of paralysis with reliable information, referral services, and a message of hope."

-- Dana Reeve

For more information about the great work of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, please
click here or go to www.paralysis.org

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© 2005 CHRISTOPHER REEVE FOUNDATION

DANA REEVE:
1961 -- 2006

[Steven Edwards]

The Amendment just passed 73-27. Frist voted in the affirmative. The full tally will be available tomorrow.

[cheesecake]

Awesome news. Thank you everyone who placed calls!

[Susan M]

Happy dance-er, roll-here

[Chris Chappell]

Yes, good news. Lets hope it becomes monetary reality for the public.

[artsyguy1954]

Thank you for this encouraging news. Encouragement is what we need.

[dan_nc]

Didn't this pass? Why's there still a sticky on this thread?

[Steven Edwards]

Daniel, it passed, but has yet to be signed into law. It will be heavily debated during the conference committee between the House and Senate.