Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has unveiled a white paper outlining proposals to modernize the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last year, Cassidy sought feedback from stakeholders on potential policies Congress could consider to update NIH.

The NIH is the world's leading public institution for biomedical research, allocating 91 percent of its $49 billion budget to research both within and outside the agency. However, since the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, nearly a decade ago, Congress has not conducted an extensive review of NIH operations and practices.

In response to Cassidy’s request for information (RFI), stakeholders expressed concerns over NIH’s grant funding priorities. They pointed out that funds are being redirected away from early-stage research towards more late-stage research. While this approach may yield short-term benefits by quickly bringing discoveries to patients, it risks neglecting funding for crucial early stages of research that could lead to lifesaving cures and treatments. In his report, Cassidy stressed the need for NIH to maintain a balanced portfolio that adequately funds all stages of medical research and other public health priorities.

The report also explored how the United States can maintain its edge in biomedical research to ensure Americans receive innovative treatments as swiftly as possible. To address this issue, Cassidy proposed several measures including streamlining peer review of research and addressing challenges in recruiting and maintaining our biomedical workforce. He underscored the importance of robust collaboration between NIH, public health institutions, healthcare institutions, and the private sector in determining how NIH policies can best support potentially transformative research.

Moreover, many stakeholders highlighted that NIH has failed to convene the Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB), an advisory board mandated by Congress to provide feedback on agency structure and operations. This lack of transparency coupled with declining public trust in the agency during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for greater accountability. Cassidy emphasized in his report that NIH needs to enhance transparency, including reestablishing SMRB and creating a mechanism for public input on agency practices.

Nonpartisan watchdogs, such as the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG), have also identified deficiencies in NIH oversight of its extramural grants. Cassidy recommends holding NIH accountable to fulfill its grants management responsibilities while balancing more effective oversight with reducing unnecessary burden on researchers.

The full white paper can be accessed here.

For all news and updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter at @GOPHELP.