State Budget Crises Threat to Academic Health Centers; New Survey Reveals Widespread Funding Cuts Over Several Years

3/26/2003

From: Elaine R. Rubin of the Association of Academic Health Centers, 202-265-9600

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Perspectives 2003, a survey of concerns, priorities, and emerging issues for academic health center leaders conducted by the Association of Academic Health Centers (AHC), finds that state budgets and funding issues among their highest concerns for the future. The survey reveals fears among AHC members -- the CEOs of academic health centers nationwide -- about institutional capabilities to sustain current responsibilities and services in health professions education, biomedical research, and health care delivery.

-- 62 percent of respondents said it was at least the second year of funding cuts from the state, which averaged 5 percent. -- 40 percent experienced two or more years of cuts; and 16 percent said it was the third year of cuts. The impact is widespread. -- 22 percent of academic health centers closed or downsized educational programs -- 24 percent cut faculty positions and 24 percent cut clinical programs.

Fears for the nation's research enterprise also abound, despite increased funding from the National Institutes of Health. Drops in state and university funding threaten the nation's research enterprise. -- 65 percent of respondents rated inadequate funding among the greatest threats to the research enterprise. -- 73 percent rated lack of research space as a major threat, highlighting how funding will affect the nation's capacity to build new research facilities because 87 percent reported planning to build one or more facilities in the next three years.

Bioterrorism topped the list of emerging areas requiring dedicated resources -- 84 of respondents anticipate increased involvement in biodefense and emergency preparedness activities -- 62 percent anticipate dedicating increased amounts of resources to biodefense.

Among emerging trends is the establishment of hospitals within hospitals with 33 percent of leaders reporting the creation of specialized institutes within their hospitals and 59 focusing resources on selected clinical departments.

The Association of Academic Health Centers is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of the people by advancing the leadership of academic health centers in health professions education, biomedical and health services research, and health care delivery.

The report by Elaine R. Rubin and Lisa M. Lindeman is available for $15.