Illinois State Senetor Dick Durbin Responds to Email

April22, 2009
Mr. James Bishop

Crest Hill, IL60403

Dear Mr. Bishop: Thank you for contacting me about multiple sclerosis (MS) and efforts to combat this devastating disease. I appreciate hearing from you. I have consistently worked to secure more funding for medical research, including MS research, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Congress approved increased funding for medical research in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, increasing NIH's funding by $937.5 million. NIH's overall budget for FY 2009 is $30.3 billion. This infusion of resources will help NIH fund research projects addressing a wide variety of medical conditions, including additional research including multiple sclerosis. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Projects also receive more than $1.5 billion for medical research in FY 2009.These investments in biomedical research can help enhance our knowledge about the underlying genetic risk factors and environmental triggers that cause MS. I am hopeful this work will speed the discovery of a meaningful strategy for improving the quality of life forAmericans who live with this difficult disease. Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.


Sincerely, Richard J. DurbinUnited StatesSenator

RJD/ns