Advocating For Research

ATA chose Mr. Cole as a 2009 honoree because of his outstanding leadership introducing H.R. 5203, "The Tinnitus Research for Military Health Improvement Act." This bill, as introduced, would establish a Department of Defense Center of Excellence on tinnitus as well as provide historic funding for tinnitus research over five years.

The ATA community is so grateful to both Rep. Teague and Rep. Cole for standing up on behalf of tinnitus patients everywhere by helping bring attention to this growing problem. Their efforts were truly worthy to be called our 2009 Congressional Champions. We look forward to working with both Congressmen over the coming years toward enactment of both of these crucial pieces of legislation.

ATA Honors its 2008 Congressional Champions

After our first year of Advocacy success, the ATA Advocacy and Public Policy Committee (a group comprised of ATA Board members, past and present and other volunteers with specific interest in ATA’s Advocacy agenda and success), discussed and created ATA’s Congressional Champion recognition program.

The idea was to personally thank U.S. legislators who took leadership on making all of the above referenced advocacy successes a priority issue for them. Though there have been many Senators and Representatives who have supported ATA’s ambitious advocacy agenda, there are some who have truly gone above and beyond and demonstrated leadership toward legislative language that promotes researching and curing tinnitus.

Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Harry Reid (D-NV) were honored by ATA Board Members, Scott C. Mitchell, J.D., John Bates, and Michael O’Rourke, ATA Director of Public Affairs, Jennifer Born and ATA government relations counsel, Deborah Outlaw for their leadership during the 111th Congress (FY 08-09) in May 2009.

From left to right: ATA Board member John Bates; Government relations counsel Deborah Outlaw; The Honorable John Cornyn; recent ATA Board chair Scott C. Mitchell J.D.; and ATA Director of Public Affairs, Jennifer Born.

From left to right: recent ATA Board chair, Scott C. Mitchell J.D.; ATA Government Relations counsel Deborah Outlaw; ATA Director of Public Affairs Jennifer Born; accepting the honor on behalf of The Honorable Harry Reid's are senior staff Robert Herbert and Joe Martin, and ATA Board member Michael O'Rourke. 

U.S. Department of Defense Includes Tinnitus in Research Efforts for Second Consecutive Year

For a second year in a row, from a direct result of ATA's Advocacy efforts, the Department of Defense (DoD) included tinnitus as a researchable condition under its Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). Congress allocated $50 million to this program and listed only 19 conditions that are eligible to apply for funding. Congress rewrites this list every year so it is essential that ATA continues to make the case as to why it belongs there every single year.

To read about two outstanding tinnitus researchers who were funded from the first appropriation in the FY 08 DoD Appropriations bill, visit our Advocacy Successes page.

ATA Honors its 2007 Congressional Champions

In May 2008, representatives of ATA made a trip to Washington, D.C. to acknowledge our 2007 Congressional Champions (pictured below). Those bestowing this honor included board members Scott C. Mitchell, J.D. and Michael O’Rourke; ATA's Director of Public Affairs, Jennifer Born and government relations counsel, Deborah Outlaw. The four outstanding lawmakers honored helped ATA achieve success in attaining landmark appropriations that will benefit tinnitus research. These included a Congressional appropriation in the FY 2008 Department of Defense (DoD) appropriations bill and directive report language in both the House and Senate versions of the Labor Health and Human Services (Labor HHS) bill. Both of these have led the way to increased funding for tinnitus research by the federal government. These particular policymakers have been and continue to be essential to ATA fulfilling its mission to cure tinnitus.

2007 Congressional Champions
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA, 4)
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Representative Jim Walsh (R-25, NY)

	Scott C. Mitchell, J.D.; Ron Anderson who accepted the award on behalf of Rep. Jim Walsh; Jennifer Born
	Jennifer Born; Senator Ted Stevens; Scott C. Mitchell, J.D.

	Scott C. Mitchell, J.D.; Rep. Jason Altmire; Jennifer Born; Deborah Outlaw
	Scott C. Mitchell, J.D.; Senator Tom Harkin; Jennifer Born

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), a key supporter of tinnitus research, and ATA's government relations counsel, Deborah Outlaw, who advocates for ATA issues on Capitol Hill.

We’re making progress nationally and locally. Take a look at some of the Action Alliance's activities and achievements. With help from volunteers – people like you – we are bringing the world closer to a cure for tinnitus.

Department of Defense Appropriations Bill signed into Public Law by President

On Tuesday November 13, 2007, President Bush signed into Public Law the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for FY 2008. This bill includes $50,000,000 for the Peer Review Medical Research Program and lists tinnitus as a recommended researchable condition. The conference report further clarifies that funds appropriated under this special program may only be spent on the specified conditions.

Legislators Are Paying Attention!

Our work is paying off! We are finally getting the attention of key decision makers on Capitol Hill. ATA staff and volunteers have made repeated visits to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress. The result? We’ve been instrumental in convincing committees in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to call for tinnitus research!

This is an important achievement for ATA. It’s the first time any congressional report or document has focused specifically on tinnitus and the importance of a finding a cure. The recommendations are included in reports from both the Senate and House Labor-Health and Human Services (HHS) Committees. Their recommendations influence the all-important National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, whose decisions on research funding will affect the progress of tinnitus research.

Read the reports from the House and Senate committees, with wording advocated by ATA, here.

We'll Keep You Posted

Though these recommendations aren’t yet law, they are a major step forward in our work to increase funding for tinnitus research. We’ll keep working to make sure they become law. And we’ll keep you updated. We need your help to convince policymakers to increase federal funding for tinnitus research. Join us today.