WASHINGTON, D.C. (WVDN) – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), chaired a hearing with Director of the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., and the Directors of the National Institute on Aging, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse to consider President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget request, as well as the many priorities of the agency.
Below is Chairman Capito’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:
“Good morning. I want to welcome everyone to the Labor/HHS Subcommittee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the National Institutes of Health. Thank you to Dr. Bhattacharya and his colleagues for joining us this morning.
“Today’s hearing is an important opportunity for us to hear about the NIH budget proposal and better understand the priorities for Fiscal Year 2027. I am also interested to hear how things are working at NIH after the last year of changes and reforms.
“Funding for biomedical research has long been a bicameral and bipartisan priority. I am proud of the work we did last year to complete a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 bill that increased funding for NIH by $415 million dollars.
“NIH-funded basic research plays an important role in improving the health of all Americans, and provides hope to American families when a loved one faces a difficult diagnosis. Almost every day there are exciting new announcements about the latest research. One recent announcement highlighted the identification of a novel, highly potent opioid that shows potential as therapy for pain management and doesn’t seem to have the same addictive potential as other opioids.
“For years, my home state of West Virginia has been considered ‘ground zero’ for the opioid epidemic, with communities across the state experiencing some of the highest rates of overdose deaths and substance use disorder in the nation. Families have been deeply affected, and the crisis has placed a significant strain on local health care systems and law enforcement.
“Although we are making positive strides – preliminary CDC data for 2025 shows a 18% decrease in overdose deaths in West Virginia; substance abuse remains an issue. Dr. Volkow has visited my state, and she’s seen firsthand the ongoing challenges West Virginia – like many other states – faces dealing with the opioid and addiction crisis. Dr. Volkow, thank you for visiting West Virginia and for joining us today. I look forward to talking with you more about NIH’s research into synthetic opioid compounds later this morning.
“The opioid epidemic isn’t the only challenge facing my home state. West Virginia is a rural state where we have some of the highest rates of health challenges in the country, and an ongoing partnership with NIH is critical for us to make improvements.
“Researchers throughout West Virginia are making significant contributions to biomedical research in areas ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease.
“Earlier this month, I was able to visit the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at WVU with Dr. Hodes. Dr. Hodes saw first-hand some of the innovative and groundbreaking work being done at WVU.
“WVU is truly remarkable, in many areas, but particularly when it comes to Alzheimer’s research.
“Having had two parents who struggled with Alzheimer’s before they passed away and having been a caregiver for them, I understand the heartbreaking and far-reaching effects Alzheimer’s and other dementias can have on patients, families, and health professionals.
“It can take a real toll.
“And that’s one of the reasons I’ve worked with my colleagues on this committee to increase funding for NIH so we can see research progress that will help the thousands of American families living each day with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
“West Virginia ranks above the national average both in new cancer diagnoses and deaths. NIH-funded research is helping move us closer to finding new treatments for cancer and is behind many of the more than 600 new cancer treatments that the FDA has approved over the last 20 years.
“I’m proud to be a lead sponsor of the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, which directs NCI to advance pediatric cancer research to better understand the disease and enhance support for survivors and those affected by pediatric cancer. Dr. Letai, I look forward to hearing from you about advancements to combat cancer and grow our clinical trial networks, especially among children. This specialized research into pediatric cancer is incredibly important.
“Our nation’s success depends on the medical researchers across this country supported by NIH. America has long been the world leader in biomedical research. Dr. Bhattacharya, I look forward to hearing your proposals for how America can maintain our role as the world leader in biomedical research.
“We have a difficult task ahead of us again this year, but it is my hope that we will once again come together to use our limited resources in the most efficient and effective way to support the health and well-being of all Americans.
“Dr. Bhattacharya, thanks to you and your colleagues for joining us here today.”
