14. NCI Impact
• NIH FY 2013 estimate on cancer research:$5.4
B*
• Sequestration could reduce spending by
$270M!
*http://report.nih.gov/categorical_spending.aspx
15. Fiscal Fights
• Current budget (Continuing Resolution)
Expires: March 27
• Senate has proposed NIH bump, but
sequestration would wipe out any increase
• House wants an even deeper cut, beyond
sequestration
19. Why advocate?
• Advocacy is patriotic
• We are all patients
• Research needs YOU
• The right advocate at the right
time can have a huge impact
• Advocacy determines priorities
20. “Let‟s make the parties end
mindless sequesters, stupid debt
ceiling fights, and ongoing
abdication of governing
responsibilities. Let‟s insist that
our legislator‟s come to grips
with our deficit problem, put
entitlement and tax reform on
the table, and make investments
in science, technology,
innovation, and research among
our nation‟s highest priorities.”
Research!America Chair and Former Congressman
John Edward Porter
21. Effective Advocacy
• KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
• Make your message matter
• Make your policy fit their politics (framing)
• Use data, but tell your personal story
• Jargon is a barrier - avoid it!
• Time is short, attention spans are shorter,
keep it concise
23. Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and
Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairs
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA-01)
24. Handling Pushback
• Avoid traps that get you „off message‟
• You are an expert on cancer and related
issues – stick to what you know
• Cutting medical research is not a deficit
reduction strategy!
• Jobs=growth
• Stopping disease=cost savings
• Follow-up – build a relationship
25. Wrapping up
• We face huge fiscal challenges, but that is no
excuse to cut funding for research
• We can solve the debt, but must put
compromise ahead of politics
• Advocacy is critical for research and patients
to thrive
• Visit:
www.researchamerica.org