ACR Submits Congressional Testimony in Support of NIH Funding

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) submitted congressional testimony March 23 to the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee in support of an increased funding recommendation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in federal fiscal year (FY) 2024. ACR urged the subcommittee to provide at least $50.9 billion for FY 2024, a $3.5 billion increase compared to FY 2023 levels, in addition to release of the 21st Century Cures funds. Additionally, with the authorization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), ACR supports an increase to this new agency while maintaining a separate appropriation outside of the NIH base budget in FY 2024.

The testimony pointed to radiology and imaging advancements ACR has participated in, made possible by federal investments in the agency. The four examples, which are listed below, show how robust NIH funding has improved radiology patient care.

• The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).
• The Randomized Evaluation of Patients with Stable Angina Comparing Utilization of Noninvasive Examinations (RESCUE) Trial.
• The Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST).
• NCI-designated central public repository of medical images and associated clinical data from lung cancer screening patients.

For more information, contact Katie Grady, ACR Government Affairs Director.