Power of the Purse
Late last week, the administration proposed that Congress rescind (cancel) $810 million in congressionally-approved funding for a number of projects, including $28 million, or nearly 10% of the total budget for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). As our statement pointed out, Americans are frustrated by the way the health system works, and AHRQ is the only federal agency charged with conducting research to improve the health care that Americans receive. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office sent congressional leaders a letter that questions the constitutionality of the administration’s proposal. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have also denounced this “pocket rescission.” Already, California and six other states have sued to prevent the rescissions. More to come.
OMB Action Alert: Fiscal Year 2027 begins today, and a continuing resolution (CR) is in effect to fund the government through Dec. 11. Importantly, this CR delays OMB’s proposed Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance until then. However, a delay is not a defeat of the rule, and OMB can implement this rule after that date. Congress needs to keep hearing from advocates on the need to permanently stop this proposed rule. Use our action alert to make your voice heard.
Surgeon General Nomination Advances: Before leaving town, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted on Wednesday to advance the nomination of Surgeon General nominee Nicole Saphier, M.D. to the full Senate; a vote is expected after the midterm elections.
Russ’s Corner
Russ is attending a conference overseas. Russ’s Corner will return later this month.
ICYMI, The National Health Research Forum: If you were unable to make our National Health Research Forum last week, don’t fret. We have uploaded a video recording of the entire event. Go to the 12:23 minute mark to hear remarks by the Deputy Director of the NIH, Matthew Memoli, M.D.; go to the 53:36 minute mark to hear from ARPA-H’s Chief Medical Officer, Rafid Fadul, M.D.; and go to the 1 hour, 35 minute mark to listen to a panel discussion on U.S. competitiveness in global clinical innovation.
Investment Report and Advocacy: Our latest report, U.S. Investments in Medical and Health Research and Development 2021-2025, can be an effective tool for your advocacy. Go to pages 17 and 18 for case studies on how medical research led to advancements in treating HER2-positive breast cancer and spinal muscular atrophy. Real-world examples help policymakers understand the vital importance of medical research.
Being Competitive is Not the Goal: A new STAT commentary underscores how quickly China is advancing in biotechnology, with its share of drugs in development rising from less than 7% a decade ago to nearly 30% today. The United States remains the global leader, but maintaining that leadership will require more than playing defense or simply seeking to remain competitive. As China pursues a deliberate, long-term strategy to strengthen its biomedical capabilities, the U.S. must strengthen the foundations of its own success, including robust research funding, a strong scientific workforce, world-leading research institutions, and an environment that moves discoveries from the laboratory to patients. Being competitive means staying in the race. The goal for the U.S. is to lead it.
Woolley, Dzau Honored: The AAMC this week announced its 2026 Presidential Award Winners, honoring medical leaders who have made an “impact on medical education, biomedical research, patient care and community engagement.” Among this year’s honorees are Research!America President Emerita Mary Woolley and board member Dr. Victor Dzau, former president of the National Academy of Medicine. Woolley and Dzau each received a 2026 Special Recognition Award. Congratulations to both of them for an honor well-deserved.
Support Our Advocacy Work: Your support is critical to our advocacy efforts. Staying alert to the challenges to medical research investment takes real stamina, and none of us knows what challenges lie ahead. But what you do matters, and it gets results. That’s what your support makes possible: not only answering threats as they come but cultivating a network of advocates who are prepared to act. With a pivotal midterm election ahead, every conversation with a candidate or district office can influence how the next Congress approaches research funding. We can’t let that network go quiet. Donate now.