National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health has not been reauthorized since 1993. Despite this, the NIH budget has more than doubled in that time. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has drafted a bill that does not eliminate or consolidate any existing national research institutes or centers. However, the draft also authorizes the NIH Director to reorganize the institutes and centers subject to three requirements: approval of the Secretary; a public process, carried out by regulations; and notice to Congress. Furthermore, the director of an institute or center may, with the approval of the Director of NIH, reorganize the divisions, centers, or other administrative units within an institute or center. Under current law, the Secretary may reorganize the institutes and centers with notice to Congress. Therefore, the draft gives increased authority to sub-secretary positions.
Many research institutions and advocacy organizations are concerned about the possible loss of institute/center autonomy, dilution of resources and de-prioritization of research issues (see American Psychological Association’s comments at http://www.apa.org/ppo/issues/apanihreauthorizationltr71505.pdf)
The committee held hearings in late July and the bill is scheduled for mark up in September.
