Health policies shape how treatments are developed and approved. At IFFGD, we work to ensure that the voices of those affected by gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are heard in important policy conversations. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration with decision-makers, we help the GI community understand current and emerging health policies, and how these changes impact research, healthcare access, insurance coverage, and quality of life. Our goal is to inform and empower advocates to take action on the issues that matter most.
IFFGD continually works to stay up-to-date on advocacy-related news and events. We will update you on current news that is relevant to the GI community in regards to health policy, budget & appropriations and other legislative priorities.
June
June 2025-
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a new report to the House Budget Committee analyzing the potential impact of a proposal known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill (H.R.1). According to the CBO, if passed, the bill would likely reduce financial resources for lower-income households, while increasing them for those in the middle and upper income brackets. You can read more about the report here.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rehired about 400 staff members. These positions are helping to rebuild key programs and services that were disrupted by recent layoffs. More information is available here.
A group of NIH staff and national science leaders signed an open letter urging leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and NIH to protect scientific integrity and independence. The letter emphasized the importance of keeping science free from political influence, especially on topics like free speech, COVID-19, and health equity. Read more here.
The Partnership to Protect Coverage (PIPC), alongside major patient and disability advocacy groups, is sharing a letter urging lawmakers to reject health coverage policies that rely on controversial value measures like Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), which many believe unfairly disadvantage people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. More information is available [here and here].
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has also updated its public materials to reflect how cuts to NIH grants are affecting the medical research community. Those updates can be found here and here
March
March 2025-
Kaine, Marshall Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Patients from High Drug Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act, bipartisan legislation that would require health care insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to count payments they receive on a patient’s behalf—including payments from nonprofit organizations or drug manufacturers—toward the patient’s annual deductibles and out-of-pocket limit, ensuring that insurers and PBMs can’t double-dip on profits. By eliminating these pricing schemes, the HELP Copays Act will ensure patients can afford life-saving drugs and keep more money in Virginians’ pockets. Learn more
March
March 2024-
In observance of Women’s History Month, the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) is sharing videos from the Pearls of Wisdom series to inspire, motivate, and inform women at various stages of their biomedical careers.
Produced and funded by ORWH, the series features prominent scientists and physicians at NIH and beyond—many from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups—sharing words of wisdom, perspectives, and advice to current and future women scientists.
Check out this video from Noni Byrnes, Ph.D., who shares her advice for women applying for positions and the importance of confidence, being proactive, and not underselling yourself. Dr. Byrnes is the Director of the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) at the NIH leading a staff of about 600 scientific, support, and contract personnel, and provides oversight on NIH peer review processes. Learn more
