The letter, signed by numerous organizations representing patients, researchers, clinicians, and research institutions, is addressed to the Director of the Office of Management & Budget and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. It articulates strong opposition to the Administration’s proposal to reduce the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget by $7.2 billion (21 percent) for fiscal year 2018 and to make substantial cuts to support for facilities and administrative (F&A) expenses, often called “indirect costs.” The authors argue that such reductions would seriously undermine ongoing and future medical research by making necessary infrastructure and compliance costs unaffordable for many institutions. They emphasize that NIH funding not only advances medical knowledge and patient care but also strengthens the U.S. economy through job creation and maintains the nation’s global leadership in biomedical research.
The letter points out that bipartisan Congressional support has historically led to increases in NIH funding, recognizing its crucial role in extending life expectancy, improving quality of life, and ensuring international competitiveness as other countries increase their own investments in research. The organizations stress that the proposed budget and F&A cuts would slow scientific progress against diseases, negatively impact economies at the local and national levels, risk the loss of skilled jobs, and force the U.S. to cede ground to global competitors. The signatories, therefore, urge the Administration to reconsider its stance on F&A reimbursements and to reinforce, rather than diminish, federal support for medical research to secure continued advancements in science and health.
COGR joined with over 100 other organizations Monday on
Director Mick Mulvaney and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price to oppose the proposed cuts to NIH funding and facilities and administrative (F&A) costs in the Administration's FY18 budget.
Among other things, the letter states that "If the Administration’s proposal to reduce NIH support for F&A moves forward, it will make research unaffordable for many institutions and ultimately lead to less research carried out across the country", and that "the economic impact could also be significant; communities will lose jobs, and the country will fall behind as our foreign competitors forge ahead in medical research. These consequences will hurt patients, scientists, and all Americans."
