Advocacy at a Glance

Advocacy at a Glance offers you the bullet point summary of current advocacy issues associated with the goals of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA.

• Progress Reported on Budget Deal. But Congress Unlikely to Meet January 19 Deadline. Congress is going to need to adopt yet another Continuing Resolution (CR) when the current CR expires on January 19. While several dates are being discussed, it seems most likely a new CR will extend government funding through February 16, ahead of a President’s Day recess scheduled for the following week. Of course, a government shut-down cannot be ruled out entirely, given the number of issues that one or more Members of Congress want to have resolved in this CR and not wait for February.

Among the potentially complicating issues for a new CR are: budget caps, CHIP reauthorization, DACA/immigration reform, community health center funding and disaster relief. Additionally, there are open questions about the handling of ACA insurance stabilization funds (promised to Senator Collins), expiration of the National Flood Insurance program, and the need to delay deadlines for FY 18 sequestration. So far, there are different rumors nearly every hour, but no certainty about a final set of compromises or the potential for a shut-down.

• Innovation and FDA Expertise are Bound Together/Congressional and Public Support is Needed. This week’s Analysis and Commentary looks at 3D printer technology and its growing impact on devices, drugs, and foods, as well as biomedical research. While just one example, it illustrates why FDA needs a strong, well-educated, multi-disciplinary workforce, a large training budget and ample opportunities for staff to attend conferences and seminars to interact with leaders in science, medicine, engineering, statistics and other fields.

• Commissioner Gottlieb to Address Alliance on January 31. The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is pleased to announce that Commissioner Gottlieb will address the Alliance membership in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 31 at 4 p.m. We hope that you are able to join us for what will be an outstanding opportunity to gain more insight into FDA’s priorities. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by e-mail to Carrie Morgan.

• FDA Releases FDA’s 2018 Strategic Policy Roadmap. FDA’s 2018 Strategic Policy Roadmap has been released and focuses on four areas: addiction crises, innovation, consumer empowerment and the FDA workforce.