2012 ERC Funding
On February 14, President Obama released his 2012 Federal Budget proposal, which proposed elimination of the Education and Research Centers (ERCs) as part of the reduction in support for the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). The ERC is the primary program of the NWCOHS, therefore this cut would eliminate funding used to support trainees in occupational health disciplines and provide continuing education courses for practicing OHS professionals in Region X (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska).
The NWCOHS has established this web page to provide information on the value and impact of the NWCOHS in Region X (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska), as well as timely news and other resources related to 2012 funding of the ERCs.
Information on the NWCOHS
2011 NWCOHS Fact Sheet
NWCOHS Alumni Profiles
ERC-wide Documents
ERC 2012 Funding - Rebuttal Document
ERC 2012 Funding - Justification Document
News & Other Resources
Save the ERCs Facebook Page
2/17/11 - The Pump Handle. "NIOSH programs targeted in President's 2012 spending proposal".
2/25/11 - American Thoracic Society Support Letter
2/29/11 - 2020 Science Blog. "Obama’s 2012 budget does not bode well for safe & productive workplaces".
3/14/11 - AAOHN ERC Support Letter
To share your views on ERC funding with your congressional representatives or President Obama, follow the links below to search for your particular representatives. For Washington State consituents, it is important to note that Senator Patty Murray and Represeantive Norm Dicks are on the respective Senate and House Appropriations Committees.
Contacting your US House of Representatives:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Contacting your US Senator:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500