FDA budget cuts proposed for fiscal 1998 are "troubling," patient groups tell HHS.
Executive Summary
FDA FY 1998 BUDGET PROPOSAL RISKS "WEAKENING" AGENCY, PATIENT GROUPS assert in a Feb. 12 letter to HHS Secretary Shalala. Members of the Patients' Coalition write that "the medical device and import user fees in the FY 1998 budget appear to be a deficit-reduction mechanism with the serious consequence of weakening FDA." The Clinton Administration budget proposal would cut federal appropriations to FDA by 8%, but would use new fees collected across the agency to produce a net 6% increase in funding, to $1.06 bil. ("The Pink Sheet" Feb. 10, p. 9).