Posted on 02/27/2010 7:09:45 PM PST by greatdefender
Washington, D.C.—A new report released today by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) details how the nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals are advancing science and stimulating economic growth one year after passage of an additional $10 billion in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
The report, From Recovery to Discovery: ARRA Funding and Medical Research, contains letters from 83 institutions that highlight how ARRA grants have been used during the past year to advance scientific and medical innovation, improve the health of local communities, and stimulate economic growth.
"Investment in medical research is not only an important part of the nation's economic short-term recovery plan, it is an essential long-term investment in our nation's future," said Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., AAMC president and CEO.
The report found that ARRA grants are being used to:
* Stimulate local economies. NIH estimates that, through ARRA funding, approximately 50,000 jobs will be created or retained. * Prepare a new generation of scientists and future innovators. A number of medical schools and teaching hospitals have created new research programs to give high school and college students and science educators first-hand research experience; provide new research opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and minority students; and expand training programs for medical students interested in research. * Advance science through novel projects and programs that address major challenges in medical research and public health, such as nanotechnology and regenerative medicine. * Establish national networks that will enable scientists to assess and use critical resources, such as animal models, cell and tissue banks, and specialized equipment and facilities for discovering new treatments and diagnoses for human disease. * Create new programs to enhance minority participation in clinical trials and registries, identifying individuals with rare diseases searching for such trials. * Build and enhance community-based research networks that develop and evaluate treatments in settings where most patients receive care.
Researchers around the nation also are using the ARRA funds to improve detection and treatment for conditions such as autism, cancer, Parkinson's disease, HIV, heart disease, and cystic fibrosis. In addition, grants are funding new research that examines conditions affecting minority groups and disparities in their care.
"We thank the Obama administration and Congress for their leadership and support of medical research through the Recovery Act," added Kirch. "Medical research is the beginning of hope for patients everywhere, and this infusion of funds is enabling the work of thousands of scientists around the country."
In order to sustain the momentum created by the Recovery Act, the AAMC also called for ongoing, predicable investments in medical research through significant, annual budget increases for the NIH.
"The administration's proposed $1 billion increase for NIH in 2011 recognizes this need and is a wise investment that will yield long-term benefits for the health of our nation," Kirch said.
To learn more about ARRA funds at work at the nation's medical schools and teaching hospitals, visit www.aamc.org/recovery.
Not surprising from an organization that kisses Zero's butt. Not to mention, only less than 20% of the doctors in the US are AAMC members
I have heard that one of the reasons for “doctor shortage” in US is that the Fed is in control of interns in hospitals & that that number is restricted — presumably by pressure from AMA in order to keep doctors in short supply. Anyone got information on this?
Yeah, yeah, yeah...big talk.
Go here: http://stimuluswatch.org/2.0/search/awards
And type in “Hospital”. You can count the number of jobs created without taking off your shoes. And incidentally, the 3rd one on the list, a $17M loan to keep some architects busy on a hospital in McCook Nebraska, which just happens to be Ben Nelson’s hometown. Probably just a coincidence...
Type in “Medical” and find some more construction, new equipment, etc - not seeing anything like curing cancer on the list.
I call BS on the whole thing. No jobs, no stimulus, just a slush fund for Democrats.
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