<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> This was distributed at the Celiac Disease Foundation Meeting last Saturday. Please forgive typing errors. I thought it was important that we each try to contact our representatives and let them know how we feel. If there will ever be a major effort to test for Celiac Disease, and make our numbers know, it will be done through the efforts of our local organizations in conjunction with the NIH FROM A BULLETIN ISSUED AT THE NATIONAL DIGESTIVE DISEASE WEEK IN SAN DIEGO. There is a potential crisis brewing in Washington as misinformed legislators point their budget-cutting efforts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH, the leading biomedical research center in the world, is a national investment which saves our country hundreds of dollars in the long-run for every dollar spent today. The US House of Representatives Budget Committee, however wants to slash $2.5 billion from the NIH budget over 7 years and there has been discussion in the Senate about cutting NIH funding by 10% this year. These cuts will not save money! Research supported by the NIH has linked H.Pylori bacteria in the upper GI tract to chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer and the resulting new treatment techniques will save as much at $400 million per year in health care costs. (snip) Congress and its Budget Committees need to hear from constituents and experts in the field that NIH is an important investment our country must make, not only to improve our health but also to save our money. (snip), The message goes on to give sample letters that we might write. I feel we can do that on our own. It also lists the capital switchboard number (202) 224 3121. and suggests calling our representatives Most of our representatives also have Email addresses, which our on-line services probably list. I suggest we really get a response going as soon as possible. The House and Senate committees have passed their bills this week, but will have to goto conference. Our voices can and should be heard. Cheers from Orange County Bory