Take Action to Urge Congress Finalize Funding for Research and Public Health Programs

Fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills have stalled in Congress, forcing the passage of multiple continuing resolutions (CRs) to temporarily extend funding for federal programs and agencies and allow the government to remain open. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the CDC’s Sickle Cell Data Collection program, along with other federal public health programs, are currently operating under a CR that will expire on March 8, 2024. Congress must act before that date to finalize spending for FY 2024 and avoid a government shutdown.

ASH needs your help to urge lawmakers to finish the FY 2024 appropriations process and put an end to any future CRs. CRs create inefficiencies and uncertainty for agencies, scientists, and public health officials across the country. Any further delay in finalizing FY 2024 funding levels – or, worse, enacting a long-term CR that freezes funding for the remainder of the year at FY 2023 levels – will put programs of importance to hematology at risk, potentially slowing our progress toward cures and ultimately impeding our ability to address major public health challenges.

Until a final deal is reached, grassroots support is critical to show your elected officials the importance of sustained and predictable public health funding. Lawmakers need to hear from hematologists about the importance of NIH, CDC, and other federal health programs as Congress continues to work on assembling bills to provide funding for these important programs. Simply enter your contact information below and click “Send Email.” This will not take much time but will have a huge impact.