The template letter outlines opposition to the proposed consolidation of the NEI into a broader Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research and emphasizes the importance of maintaining eyes and vision as a dedicated "institute-level" priority for NIH.

Background:

As you’re likely aware, House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers released an NIH Reform Report in June providing recommendations to structurally change and reform the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Much of the report focuses on transparency and accountability, but the most significant proposal is a complete restructuring of the existing institutes at NIH from 27 Institutes and Centers down to 15. As part of this restructuring, the recommendation includes a consolidation of the National Eye Institute (NEI) with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), into a broader “National Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research.”

In addition to this proposal being included in the E&C report, the House Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee included the consolidation recommendations in their FY25 Appropriations Bill which was passed through markup and awaits consideration of the full Committee. It's unclear at this time if the House will be able to advance this beyond the subcommittee.

NAEVR has met with congressional offices since the report was published to push back against this proposal and has drafted an organizational sign-on letter in addition to the template here

We need you to take action today to support NEI and put a stake in the ground with Congress that consolidating the NEI into a broader Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research would be detrimental to the future of vision research and vision care that can improve outcomes and treatments for people who experience vision loss and vision impairment.