HFES Advocates for Federal Research Funding in FY 2022 Outside Witness Testimony

By Lewis-Burke Associates LLC

As part of its annual appropriations advocacy, HFES submitted written testimony to multiple Congressional Appropriations Subcommittees calling for robust investment in science and technology at federal agencies to strengthen HF/E expertise and processes in critical sectors.  Congressional decision makers use testimony from HFES and other stakeholders to inform deliberations on funding levels and priorities for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Appropriations process.  HFES’s FY 2022 priorities include:

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

HFES submitted written testimony to both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-ED) calling for Congress to provide robust funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

HFES requested the Subcommittee to provide $500 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in FY 2022.  HFES’s testimony discussed the importance of AHRQ as the federal vehicle for studying and improving the United States healthcare system and called for increased funding to meet its mission after the rebuilding needed from the years of cuts the agency had and the negative effects on the healthcare system due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In addition, HFES’s testimony called for no less than $375.3 million for NIOSH including $34 million to support its Education and Research Centers (ERCs) and sustain its academic degree programs and research opportunities to train the next generation of professionals.  HFES calls for increased funding to NIOSH to continue supporting education and research in occupational health through academic degree programs and research opportunities. 

National Science Foundation (NSF)

HFES also submitted testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) urging Congress to provide at least $10 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) in FY 2022.  The testimony also advocates for expanding NSF efforts to broaden participation in science for underrepresented groups, to ensure a more diverse and equitable workforce.  HFES also highlights the positive impact NSF-funded research will have on the U.S. economy, national security, and the health and well-being of Americans and calls on NSF to continue funding HF/E relevant research critical to ensuring the successful adoption and integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).

Lewis-Burke will continue informing HFES on updates during the appropriations process.

Sources and Additional Information:

• HFES’s FY 2022 written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies for AHRQ and NIOSH can be found here.
• HFES’s FY 2022 written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies in support of NSF funding can be found here.