In an effort to provide the public with access to the findings of federally-funded research, Congress mandated in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor/HHS/Ed spending bill that the National Institutes of Health "shall require that all investigators funded by the NIH submit or have submitted for them to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central an electronic version of their final, peer-reviewed manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, to be made publicly available no later than 12 months after the official date of publication: Provided, That the NIH shall implement the public access policy in a manner consistent with copyright law."

Throughout the debate on open access the Society has fought to make the voice of the non-profit publishers heard.  In addition to submitting its comments in response to Dr. Zerhouni's open access proposal, the Society communicated its concerns to the highest levels of Administration officials and Congressional leaders.  The Society participates in several coalitions to broaden support on this issue.  Representatives from the Society have met with officials at the Administration level including NIH, HHS, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.  In addition, the Society has canvassed the Hill with more than twenty meetings with House and Senate offices. 

Prior to the passage of the FY 2008 spending bills, the Society entered into a voluntary agreement with the NIH.  Under the pilot project agreement with NIH (NIH Pubmed Central Archive), the Society submits on behalf of the author of government-sponsored research, the article of record within 12 months from the date of publishing.  However, the Society currently submits the article of record with no delay from the date of publishing.

DC Principles Coalition Letter to "HR 6845" Sponsors