Advocacy

Advocacy in Action

July 19, 2024

US House of Representatives to Vote on Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Bill; Help Needed to Protect NIH Funding

The US House of Representatives will vote on the House Appropriation Committee bill covering the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. The bill funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other public health agencies. The current bill is detrimental to endocrinology and proposes inadequate funding for NIH, a 22% cut for CDC, and harmful policy riders to eliminate Title X funding and restrict fetal tissue research. The bill also proposes a major restructuring of the NIH that would consolidate the existing 27 institutes and centers to 15, with an unclear plan on existing research portfolios. The Endocrine Society is advocating for House members to oppose the bill and support a minimum of a 1% increase for non-defense discretionary funding, including the NIH, and parity with any increases for defense appropriations. It is critical that your Representative hear from you about the harms of this bill: join our campaign to share this message today.

Another powerful action you can take as endocrine science researchers and advocates is to tell us how NIH funding cuts have impacted your ability to conduct research. Please use this form to submit your stories as soon as possible and no later than Friday, July 26. These will be shared with Members of Congress to help make the case to protect NIH funding.

New ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes for Obesity to Take Effect in October

Later this year, new ICD-10 diagnosis codes for obesity, which aim to provide specificity in describing a patient’s obesity class, will take effect. Starting October 1, providers will be able to bill under three new class codes:

  • E66811 - Obesity, class 1
  • E66812 - Obesity, class 2
  • E66813 - Obesity, class 3

ICD-10 codes, which are administered through the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), can be used by providers when diagnosing patients with certain conditions including obesity. The new codes also aim to remove the stigma that is often associated with people living with obesity. The Society has supported the creation of these codes, and we will continue to advocate for efforts to reduce weight stigma and bias.

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Make Your Voice Heard

We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.

We rely on your voice to advocate for our policy priorities. Join us to show our strength as a community that cares about endocrinology. Contact your US representatives or European Members of Parliament through our online platform. Take action and make a difference today.

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Who We Are

For 100 years, the Endocrine Society has been at the forefront of hormone science and public health. Read about our history and how we continue to serve the endocrine community.