Bush Signs Bill Granting FDA $150 Million

Washington, DC (June 30)-President Bush signed H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which provides $150 million to the US Food and Drug Administration for medical-safety and drug-safety activities. The funds will be available until Sept. 30, 2009 and include:

• $28 million for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

• $12.7 million for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

• $20 million for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health

• $3.4 million for the National Center for Toxicological Research

• $12.9 million for other activities, including the Office of the Commissioner, the Office of Scientific and Medical Programs, the Office of Policy, Planning and Preparedness, the Office of International and Special Programs, and the Office of Operations.

The act also imposes a moratorium on six Medicaid rules that the Bush administration had issued. The Administration had proposed to reduce federal contributions for school-based services such as transportation for children with special needs, rehabilitation services, targeted case management for people with physical or mental disorders, hospital cost limits, and graduate medical education. The regulations would have shifted millions of dollars in healthcare costs to the states, but they were reversed before the bill reached Bush’s desk.