Advocacy Efforts Contribute To Increased Government Funding For Nephrotic Syndrome/FSGS Research

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Jan. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressional leadership and the administration reached agreement on a comprehensive fiscal year (FY) 2016 omnibus appropriations bill and tax package. The House and the Senate have passed the bill and President Obama added his signature on December 19, 2015. The omnibus appropriation measure totals near $1.1 trillion and includes all twelve annual appropriations bills for FY 2016.

NephCure Kidney International (NKI) mobilizes patient advocates who attend Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, write letters and emails, visit their representatives locally, and make phone calls to increase government awareness of Nephrotic Syndrome diseases and the vital role that government funding plays in finding better treatments and cures. This year's government funding gains for Nephrotic Syndrome would not be possible without the efforts of patients and their friends and families. NKI praises the increases in medical research funding contained within the bill.

Of specific interest to NKI the FY 2016 omnibus appropriations package includes:

• $2.1 million for CDC's Chronic Kidney Disease program
  
  
• 1.968 billion for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK). NIDDK supports the bulk of FSGS/NS research through NIH.
  
  
• Specific committee recommendations for FY 2016 include:
  - Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) - The Committee commends NIDDK for partnering with NCATS on the Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) Study Network with the goal of developing precision medicine for NS. The Committee encourages continued support for studies on the mechanisms of the FSGS/NS disease process.
  
  
• $685.4 million for the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS). NCATS collaborates with NIDDK on FSGS/NS research activities.
  
  
• $279.7 million for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). NIMHD supports several grants related to the APOL 1 gene.
  
  
• $278 million for the Department of Defense (DOD) Peer-Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), an increase of $31 million over FY 2015. For the second year, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis is a condition eligible for study in the PRMRP.

SOURCE: Memorandum Regarding FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Package via Dale Dirks, President of Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington

NephCure Kidney International is the only organization committed exclusively to support research seeking the cause of the potentially debilitating kidney disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and the diseases that cause Nephrotic Syndrome, improve treatment, and find a cure.

Media Contact
Mark Stone, CEO                                                                                                    
610-540-0186 x15
[email protected]

SOURCE NephCure Kidney International

Related Links

http://www.nephcure.org