ANSWER was successful in lobbying to have report language included in the Senate Committee Report 107-216 regarding the FY03 appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The language, which was requested by Senator Inouye (D-HI), reads as follows:

“Social work research- The Committee commends the NIMH, NIDA, NCI, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research for their recognition of social work research’s important contribution to our Nation’s health. The Committee urges the NIH to develop a social work research plan that outlines research priorities, as well as a research agenda, across NIH Institutes and Centers to be reported to the Committee by April 1, 2003.”

The Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research has already begun working on the report that is to be submitted to the Appropriations Committee in April.