Legislative Agenda

Priorities for 2012

Each year we work to advance legislative priorities that are focused on bolstering research into functional GI and motility disorders and improving care for patients. Our 2012 Legislative Agenda builds on our prior agendas and recent public policy successes. It consists of the following 4 issues that you can help make happen.

Jump to topic:
National Institutes of Health
The Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act (HR 2239)
Functional GI Disorders and the Military Service Connection
The Pediatric Research Consortium Establishment Act (HR 1080)

Download a copy (.pdf) of our 2012 Legislative Agenda

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Overall Investment in NIH: We support increasing funding for NIH to a level of at least $32 billion in FY13. The bulk of federally supported FGIMDs research is conducted through the National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Increased support for NIH will enable NIDDK and other Institutes and Centers to continue to expand the FGIMD research portfolio and initiate critical new research activities focused on improving our understanding of these conditions and leading to the development of innovative treatment options. Read the full issue brief for additional information.

The Functional Gastrointestinal & Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act (H.R. 2239)

Support the Functional GI and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act: This critical piece of legislation seeks to advance our scientific understanding of FGIMDs and improve treatment options for patients by encouraging and bolstering research. This bill calls on NIH to adopt and implement the FGIMDs-related research recommendations outlined by the National Commission on Digestive Diseases. In addition, this bill calls on NIH to partner with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase research activities. The IFFGD urges Members of Congress to champion FGIMDs research by becoming a cosponsor of the Functional GI and Motility Disorders Research Enhancement Act. Read the full issue brief for additional information.

Functional GI Disorders and the Military Service Connection

The onset of a functional GI disorder can be triggered by severe stress and infections of the digestive tract. Deployed military personnel face an elevated chance of experiencing these risk factors and developing a functional GI disorder due to their service. As a result, functional GI disorders are recognized by the VA as disabling and connected to military service as a part of Gulf War Illness. The DOD conducts important research into medical conditions that impact veterans and active duty military personnel through its Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).

The House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees fund the DOD CDMRP’s Peer-Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), which provides an excellent source of funding for functional GI disorders research. The GWIRP was funded at a level of $10 million in FY 2012. Legislators must work to see that funding for the GWIRP is included in any agreement on FY 2013 Defense Appropriations. Read the full issue brief for additional information.

The Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act (H.R. 1080)

Support and ensure passage of the Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act (H.R. 1080): Many children suffer with painful, disabling, and in some cases life-threatening FGIMDs. Increased pediatric research is badly needed so that a life-time of discomfort and costly medical treatment can be averted by individuals affected by FGIMDs. This bipartisan legislation calls on NIH to establish 20 pediatric research consortia and fund them at up to $2.5 million annually. This bill passed the house in the last Congress and nearly passed the Senate; please work to ensure that this bill is passed into law during the 112th Congress. Read the full issue brief for additional information.

Here’s what you can do

To become an advocate or find out more, contact us at dha@iffgd.org.