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2018 Federal Policy Priorities

Overview

Research universities like Stony Brook are complex institutions affected by a large scope of federal policies. Stony Brook University engages and works with Congress and Executive Branch departments and agencies to shape policies affecting students, faculty, and the ability of research universities to achieve their educational missions of teaching, research, and service. This document outlines some of the key 2018 federal policy issues of Stony Brook’s Office of Government Relations.

Legislative Solution for DACA Students

In June 2012, President Obama established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy by executive action. DACA allowed undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States at a young age to become eligible for a work permit, a Social Security card, a driver’s license, and deferred deportation. The Trump administration rescinded the policy September 5, 2017, but delayed ending it until March 5, 2018. Time has run out and the future of these students remains unknown. Stony Brook University strongly urges Congress to develop legislation that provides legal status and a firm statutory basis for undocumented students. Several bills have been introduced in Congress, but a specific bill and a legislative pathway have yet to emerge.

Renewing the Higher Education Act Should Ensure Affordability and Accessibility  

When students from all walks of life – especially people from low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented backgrounds – can access and afford higher education, America wins. As the long-overdue reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) begins, Stony Brook University urges congressional leaders to renew the HEA with this in mind. This will help to ensure increased student success and, in turn, enhance our economy and enrich society. Unfortunately, the current House bill, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act (H.R. 4508), falls short of fostering greater higher education opportunity by proposing to restrict crucial sources of student financial aid.

PROSPER Act Impact on Stony Brook University

Promote Innovation and Competiveness

America’s research universities are essential to the innovation that is the foundation of U.S. competitiveness and long-term economic growth. Without university research — much of it funded by the U.S. government — companies would not have been able to develop many of the industrial products, processes, and services upon which the nation now prospers.  Stony Brook University strongly supports the innovation and competitiveness agendas that have been advanced in recent years by some of the nation’s top industrial, scientific, technological and political leaders. These agendas focus on enhancing government support for university research and strengthening the nation’s talent pool in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  For instance, Stony Brook urges Congress to renew and expand the successful Phase 0 Proof of Concept partnership pilot program which was intended to fill the gap that startup companies face as they begin the process of commercializing their ideas.

NIH REACH Impact

Enact Fair and Transparent Immigration Systems that Allows the Best and Brightest to Contribute to America

Being a great university in the 21st century means having a global reach, education is greatly enriched and enlightened by the interaction of teachers and students from other nations. Providing these experiences is an investment in the future as we seek to build international cooperation, peace, and economic growth.  Stony Brook University continues to attract some of the world’s most talented students and employ outstanding international faculty, post-doctoral associates, and research scientists. Stony Brook has long encouraged this flow of knowledge and has also supported federal efforts to encourage DREAMers to attend universities.

Many international faculty join universities through an H-1B visa. These individuals work in classrooms and hospitals, preparing students to enter a workforce in which global engagement is a necessity. They also provide substantive scientific expertise as they search for cures and innovations to improve human health, create new technologies, and drive our economy. Stony Brook advocates for a fair and transparent immigration systems that allows the best and brightest to contribute to America by advancing society through education, research, and discovery.

Improve Technology Transfer

Technology transfer is the process that universities and other research organizations use to translate research discoveries and scientific findings into new products, technologies, drugs and other services that benefit the public. Stony Brook University advocates for maintaining and strengthening federal technology transfer policies, including the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 which fundamentally changed the nation’s system of technology transfer by enabling universities to retain title to inventions and take the lead in patenting and licensing groundbreaking discoveries. Stony Brook supports the Senate’s STRONGER Patents Act (S.1390), bipartisan legislation that would effectively crack down on abuses of the U.S. patent system while taking steps to improve that system.

Protect Hospitals from Reimbursement Cuts

President Donald Trump’s Federal fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget, “Efficient, Effective, Accountable: An American Budget,” severely cuts Medicare and Medicaid funding for teaching and safety net hospitals like Stony Brook Medicine. If enacted, the cuts would deeply compromise Stony Brook Medicine’s ability to serve our patients and communities. Stony Brook urges congress to strongly oppose cuts to critical health care programs including 340B Drug Discount Program, hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), Medicare and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments and Graduate Medical Education (GME).

GNYHA White Paper - Hospital Cuts in President Trump's FY 19 Budget