As a biotechnology entrepreneur – still striving for success – I offer a plan (Biotech Jobs for America) to add 200,000 bioscience jobs over four years. (Thanks to friends)
The plan asks Congress to allocate $6.7 billion in additional funding to five existing programs: SBIR. TIP. USAMRMC and AFIRM. CDMRP. SBIC.
But it's not just about the jobs.
We know that half our OEF/OIF wounded warriors will seek treatment for pain.
There are currently no programs to fund development of more effective, non-addictive pain meds for them.
My jobs plan addresses their pain, too.
Developing better pain meds is an integral part of my 200,000 jobs plan.
The plan doesn't contemplate new legislation. With the exception of the SBIC part of the plan - for which the framework is established - all targeted programs have staff, proposal review and award processes, and oversight infrastructure in place.
This is focused money. Money that can go to work fast on "development-ready" projects. This is about "D," not "R." Of course we need to increase increase funding to the NIH. But this is about jobs from small businesses - the jobs that account for 75% of new jobs created in America.
About half of of OEF/OIF returnees will be given opiates - sometimes with other meds for mental and behavioral problems - to control their pain. For too many, pain comes from polytraumatic injury. Top military brass know that some OEF/OIF returnees are addicted to VA-prescribed meds, even selling them on the street......what did we learn from ‘Nam...........?
In November 2007, Physicians for Social Responsibility estimated that the total cost of caring for OEF/OIF returnees will be $700 billion. To tragedy and heartbreak, add cost. Just treating the pain of OEF/OIF returnees is a $150 billion healthcare problem.
Reach for your Congressional speed dial. Ask your delegation to support the plan as an integral part of the $825 billion stimulus.
Not only for the jobs.
But also to ease the pain of our brave warfighters.