National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants support the work of pulmonary hypertension researchers across the county. Each year, PHA spends time on Capitol Hill talking with lawmakers about the importance of this research funding to help medical professionals better understand, and more effectively treat, PH. This spring, the President’s budget proposed a $1.2 billion cut to NIH. PHA and other patient organizations spoke out – and Congress listened! This week Congress approved a $2 billion increase to the NIH budget for the remainder of the year. In addition, the 2017 Department of Defense Peer Review Medical Research Program designates Respiratory Health and Burn Pit Exposure as two areas eligible for study. This means that researchers interested in the link between burn-bit exposure and PH, as well as in PH generally, will be able to apply for grant funding from this unique program. Both are areas for which PHA advocated.
