On May 18, the Senate Finance Committee approved the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 (S. 870). The vote was unanimous, 26-0. The bipartisan bill strengthens and improves health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries living with chronic conditions. Since 2015, Emory has worked closely with Senator Johnny Isakson and his staff to craft and advance this legislation. Provisions include a program that allows chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries to get primary care services at home, and expansion of telehealth services.

With the FY2017 appropriations process completed and federal funding assured through September 30, budgetary attention now turns to FY2018. The Administration is reported to be finalizing its budget proposal. While the President’s “skinny budget” proposing deep cuts to research has caused concern in our community, another significant problem looms ahead. The 2011 Budget Control Act imposes a cap on FY2018 non-defense discretionary spending that is $3 billion lower than the FY2017 cap. Unless a congressional agreement increases the FY2018 cap, the prospects for increased research budgets are dim and the possibility of cuts -- across-the-board or otherwise -- is real. Emory is working with our association colleagues and calling on Congress to increase the budget cap, allowing for a continued national investment in innovation.

From left to right: Dr. Robert Taylor, Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA), Dr. Syed Tanveer Rab, and Dr. Alicia Lyle.  On May 10, the Congressman visited Emory University Hospital for a conversation that included the importance of research funding, the challenges confronting the young researcher pipeline, and the need for transit into the Clifton Corridor.