APTA's Section on Research hosted a fly-in February 12-13 in Washington, DC, to advocate on behalf of rehabilitation research and to push for a delay in potential sequestration cuts to programs within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Eleven researchers from 9 states spent the day meeting with staff of the Senate and House appropriations committees and their individual members of Congress to discuss the value and impact of innovative multidisciplinary research to the overall US economy and its ability to remain globally competitive in the future. The researchers strongly urged Congress to continue funding agencies that support rehabilitation research within NIH, in light of 5%-7% sequestration cuts set to take effect on March 1.  

In addition, the researchers informed members and their staff about the key findings of the Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Medical Rehabilitation. The researchers received positive feedback from Appropriations Committee members on the panel's recommendation to enhance the role and exposure of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) within NIH.

  
Rep Rodney Alexander (R-LA), far left, with members of APTA's Section on Research. Alexander spoke at a breakfast held for the fly-in participants.