Dr. Bhattacharya On the Hill
This week, we’re opening with our usual “On the Hill” section. NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and five NIH Institute and Center directors testified today before the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee on the FY27 budget proposal (watch the recording here).
Senators from both sides of the aisle did not hold back, asking questions about the slow pace of funding, multi-year funding, and staffing levels, particularly those of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) noted that acting NIAID Director Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger has stepped down. Eight NIAID leaders had already been required to leave, a chilling statistic in light of the Institute’s role in basic and translational infectious disease research (more on this later in the letter).
Members from both parties raised specific questions, from cancer to opioids to infectious diseases and minority health, about research programs of interest. Chairman and ranking members Sens. Collins, Capito, Baldwin, and Murray all emphasized the importance of funding for NIH in their remarks, which is a good sign as we move into FY27 markup.
It is clear that the issue of indirect costs still needs to be resolved as Dr. Bhattacharya said he is exploring decoupling some costs from research grants.
In other appropriations news, the House Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up the FY27 Labor-HHS bill soon (subcommittee: Friday, June 5; full committee: Tuesday, June 9).
Russ’s Corner
“Only more research would get us to a cure for the tumor that killed my son.”
This one line, written by Zain Habboo, a parent who lost her 6-year-old son to a rare childhood cancer, perfectly sums up why we do the work we do – and also a powerful way to do it.
Ms. Habboo’s heartfelt, personal story helps transform a policy discussion and budget debate into a deeply human connection. By sharing her son’s illness and tragic passing with us, along with her clear call for more research, we are reminded that the research funding we fight for is a very real investment in saving lives and sparing families from unimaginable loss.
Every year, we provide data, charts, and graphs that are important to advocacy. Every day, our team is on the Hill and monitoring the technical details of legislation. Those reach minds. But each of you can find the stories – some of you may even have lived the stories – that can touch hearts and change minds.
Tell your stories. Send us your stories. Together, we can change the world.
Russ
FDA Leadership Changes: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has experienced high levels of leadership turnover this year. We wrote in last week’s letter that Kyle Diamantas, J.D., who led the agency’s nutrition and food safety activities, has been named acting FDA commissioner. In addition, there have been three new FDA leaders named to interim roles:
- Michael Davis, M.D., Acting Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)
- Karim Mikhail, MSc, Acting Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)
- Lowell Zeta, J.D., Acting Chief of Staff in the Office of the Commissioner
It is imperative that the administration appoint new, permanent leadership to provide greater stability at the FDA.
Grim Reminders of the Infectious Disease Threat: An active Ebola outbreak is spreading across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Suspected cases already surpass 600 with nearly 140 suspected deaths.
Meanwhile, 41 people are being actively monitored across the U.S. following potential hantavirus exposure. These developments are a stark reminder that infectious diseases know no borders and infectious disease research is imperative. Americans agree: 9 in 10 Americans believe it is important for the federal government to fund research addressing infectious diseases.
Exploring the Priorities and Successes of ARPA-H:
We were thrilled to host ARPA-H Director Dr. Alicia Jackson today for an Alliance Discussion on the agency’s project landscape. Moderated by President and CEO Russ Paulsen, Dr. Jackson described ARPA-H’s unique model and examples of programs that are making strides for patients.
Dr. Jackson also helped clarify the best ways to engage with the agency. Thank you to the more than 300 people who attended this engaging discussion! If you weren’t able to join us today, you can watch the video on our YouTube channel here.
We’ll host an alliance member-only meeting with policy expert Carrie Wolinetz, Ph.D., on Wednesday, June 10, from noon to 1 p.m. ET. If you’re affiliated with a member of the Research!America alliance, please watch your inbox for discussion and registration details.
Support All of Us: As 21st Century Cures Act funding for the NIH All of Us Research Program comes to an end, All of Us faces an uncertain budgetary future and potential loss of critical capabilities and infrastructure. Find more information on this profoundly important program here. Vanderbilt Health is leading an organizational letter in support of continued funding. The deadline has been extended and they are accepting sign-ons through mid-week next week.
Acting Surgeon General Named: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has named Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos to serve as the interim Surgeon General. Dr. Haridopolos is a family physician from Florida and most recently served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at HHS.
Supporting Physician-Scientists: Yesterday, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) released proceedings from their joint workshop with the American Junior Investigator Association titled “Sustaining the Biomedical Workforce: Innovative Pathways for Retaining and Supporting Physician-Scientists.” Access the summary report here. Additionally, NAM announced a new initiative focused on strengthening the physician-scientist workforce. Read the announcement here.
NINR Listening Session: In partnership with the National Health Council, Research!America is hosting an in-person National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) listening session on Wednesday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Your input will help shape the future direction of NINR and ensure it reflects real-world needs. Register here.
Join Research!America: If you haven’t already, join our multi-sector alliance! The membership process is straightforward, the benefits are compelling, and your participation informs and intensifies our community’s influence on and off Capitol Hill. Email Associate Director of Membership and Development Operations Donald Cook for more information.