The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the world's largest investor in biomedical research (for now).  It is the primary source of funding for scientific and clinical efforts that translate into just about every single health-related advance.  Each of these efforts translates into numerous new companies that create jobs, improve the economy, and, most importantly, help people.  It succeeds despite getting less than 3% of discretionary spending in our budget, which has already made it difficult to train and retain the best scientists, doctors, and researchers in the fields that need them.  An even slight increase in the amount of funding would translate into numerous innovative projects being initiated across the country, employing many people and improving the skillset of our population.  And it may result in discoveries that lead to new treatments, better healthcare, and improved livelihoods.