On Friday, March 23, President Donald Trump signed into law a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2018. After over a year of continued advocacy by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the agreement provides $15 million in funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program – Neurofibromatosis Research Program (CDMRP-NFRP). This funding continues Congress’ long-standing support of medical research at the Department of Defense, complementary to the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s role as a leader in NF research and advocacy.
Of note, the agreement also contains a $3 billion increase in spending for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an 8.8 percent increase from current levels. The ‘All of Us’ precision medicine research program will receive a $60 million increase as a result of this additional funding.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is currently advocating for additional funding for the CDMRP in the FY 2019 funding process, including meetings on Capitol Hill earlier this month with key members of the House Appropriations Committee. Please stay tuned to this space for further updates.
