Keep politics out of medical research

Reports of the Administration’s plan to create an external committee to make funding decisions regarding investments in medical research grants by the National Institutes of Health are alarming. Decisions regarding the tens of billions of federal dollars invested in medical research belong in the hands of scientific experts who can evaluate the most pressing patient and public health needs and the merit of the grant request.   

External committee review risks further delays and destabilization of the NIH grant process, which has already seen persistent problems during the current Administration. In addition, this step is contradictory to the spirit of the bipartisan continuing resolution, which for now prohibits the Administration from implementing sweeping changes to federal grant review.  

Politicizing a process that is intended to improve the lives of all Americans and protect our nation’s public health will have far reaching consequences for the health and security of our nation. We urge the Administration to reconsider the proposal and call on Congress to prevent politics from impeding medical progress by ensuring NIH funding is spent as intended for the benefit of all Americans. 

— Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA – President, IDSA 

— Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA – Chair, HIVMA 

About IDSA and HIVMA 

The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a global community of 13,000 clinicians, scientists and public health experts working together to solve humanity’s smallest and greatest challenges, from tiny microbes to global outbreaks. Rooted in science, committed to health equity and driven by curiosity, our compassionate and knowledgeable members safeguard the health of individuals, our communities and the world by advancing the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Within IDSA, the HIV Medicine Association is a community of health care professionals who advance a comprehensive and humane response to the HIV pandemic, informed by science and social justice. Visit idsociety.org and hivma.org to learn more.