National Institutes for Health (NIH) Research & Funding

Biomedical research is a sound federal investment, providing immeasurable benefits both to patients suffering from disease and to our nation's economy. Federal investments in the NIH are a critical component of improving seniors' lives. Support for research in diseases like Alzheimer's and age-related macular degeneration can lead to improvements in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment - and most importantly, new cures.

Senator Kohl has consistently supported funding NIH at a level that will enable the agency to expand its groundbreaking research. For FY 2007, Kohl urged a substantial increase of $13 million for the National Institute of Nursing Research, an institute that focuses on improving patient care and pain management, treating disease, managing chronic conditions, and addressing the physical and emotional needs of patients.

For FY 2007, Senator Kohl also supported an effort to secure $711 million for the National Eye Institute (NEI). More than 38 million Americans suffer from significant vision impairment and there is promising research underway at NEI to improve their lives and reduce the economic toll of vision loss. The NEI is also a leading source of breakthrough gene research in the area of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, especially among our seniors, robbing them of their independence and quality of life. Continued investment in this research may lead to new treatments to stop or reverse this disease.

Moreover, Senator Kohl supports a substantial increase for the NIH research of Alzheimer's disease. In April 2006, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that the life expectancy of Americans has risen to 78 years - the highest it has ever been. However, they also reported that the death rate from Alzheimer's disease is increasing and is now among the top 10 causes of death in the US. With the Baby Boomers nearing the age deemed highest risk for Alzheimer's, NIH needs to boost its research of this debilitating disease.