Press Conference on NIH Director Visit to KU Med Center

Talking Points by Senator Pat Roberts
Press Conference on NIH Director Visit to KU Med Center
KU Med Center

* Thank you Dr. Zerhouni for visiting Kansas and sharing your Roadmap that's leading the transformation of NIH research.

•Earlier this week, my Senate colleagues on the NIH funding appropriations committee added a $1.1 billion increase to the National Institutes of Health budget for next year, for an overall total of $28.9 billion. I have been a consistent supporter of the NIH and after learning firsthand of its research partnership in Kansas, I look forward to supporting this funding level.

•I wish Dr. Zerhouni and I had more time to tour all the facilities that comprise the Kansas City Area Life Science Institute. What anchors this endeavor is a research hospital and medical school, giving laboratory researchers, doctors, and nurses, an opportunity to participate in the treatment and healing of patients with new drugs and technologies. Sometimes Kansans take the Med Center for granted, but everytime I visit I am amazed at their expertise, not only in research, but treating patients.

•Today we observed first hand how NIH research returns priceless benefits to Kansans, giving healthcare providers new tools and drugs to heal and give hope to individuals.

•Earlier this week, the Kansas City Star ran an article about a $2 million NIH grant underwriting research on a treatment that helps premature babies to eat and breathe better. Imagine the comfort this gives to parents. The same feeling and relief comes from the Hoglund Center, increasing the ability to identify and treat brain disorders in children to older Americans.

•As Dr. Zerhouni and I discussed his Roadmap plan to improve and expand NIH research, Kansas is responding. Many of the schools across Kansas are collaborating, researchers are teaming up and providing expertise across many different scientific disciplines. Top researchers from the K-State Veterinary School have a $10 million NIH grant to conduct cell research and some of their research partners are located here at the Med Center. Researchers at Emporia State and Wichita State are making contributions too.

•I've been talking about the importance of research in Kansas and I see the convergence that I have been predicting. The more Kansas commits to research, it becomes more competitive in national research grants. Not only is our state's economy becoming more diversified, but we are improving our state's healthcare.

•The Hoglund Center and the new Biomedical Building going up, using proceeds from the Legislature's bonding bill, have made Kansas more competitive and increasing collaboration from researchers across Kansas. Last year, NIH supported over $78 million in vital health care research in Kansas. And I look forward to the day when we surpass $100 million in research because of the state's combined research initiatives.