Hanna bill would expand pediatric research, search for autism cure

Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) recently discussed his bipartisan Kids First Research Act that would allocate $130 million in funding for National Institutes of Health research and the pursuit of a cure for autism.

Hanna said the money would come from the elimination of federal funding for presidential campaigns and party conventions and the subsequent reallocation of money to expand pediatric research through the Common Fund at the NIH. Approximately 150 members of Congress from both political parties have signed on to cosponsor the legislation.

“This bill makes better use of taxpayer dollars by supporting medical breakthroughs that would help children diagnosed with autism, juvenile Type 1 diabetes, Down Syndrome, childhood cancers and other pediatric disorders,” Hanna said. “Our priority as a nation should be to work to find cures to help our children, not to publicly fund partisan politics.”

The Common Fund was established seven years ago to provide support for breakthrough research through the coordination of at least two research organizations and the NIH. The Congressional Budget Office estimates of the Kids First Research Act indicate it would direct approximately $130 million over 10 years for the pediatric research initiative.

This bill has attracted the support of Autism Speaks, the Children’s Hospital Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Coalition of Pediatric Medical Research, the National Down Syndrome Society, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.