!!ACTION ALERT!!



DIGESTIVE DISEASE NATIONAL COALITION



Ensure passage of the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations package and

increase federal public health funding.



Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has expressed concern that there
are not enough votes yet in the Senate to pass the FY 2009 Omnibus
Appropriations bill (H.R. 1105). He also has indicated that if the
Senate does not approve the omnibus tonight, Congress will extend the
continuing resolution (CR) through the remainder of FY 2009. The CR is
presently level-funding federal public health initiatives at their FY
2008 level.



The omnibus package currently contains a $938 million funding increase
for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as funding
increases for other public health agencies and initiatives. Unlike
stimulus funding which is a one-time infusion, this funding increase
would raise the annual baseline budgets for NIH and the other public
health agencies.



Please contact your senators today and urge them to support the FY 2009
omnibus appropriations package.



In order to ensure that the omnibus has sufficient votes in the Senate
to move forward, please:

*    Lookup the contact information for your two senators by going to
www.senate.gov and selecting your state from the list.
*    Call your senators' Washington, DC office and ask to speak with
the Health Legislative Aide (you will likely receive their voicemail).
*    Ask your Senator to "please vote in support of the FY 2009
Omnibus Appropriations bill."
*    Tell them your personal story and inform them of your interest
in NIH and funding for federal public health programs.
*    Inform them that the increased funding for NIH and other federal
health agencies is critical, and that the agencies would not benefit
from a

                year-long continuing resolution.

*    Leave your contact information so that the senator's staff can
get back to you.



Be persistent and follow-up.  Congressional staff are very busy, but if
they understand this issue is important to their constituents, they will
make it a priority to speak with you and fulfill your request.