The NHC Rallies for Medical Research
By: Allen Pinn, Manager, Policy
On September 18, 2025, more than 400 individuals representing patients, patient advocates, caregivers, clinicians, students, and scientists from across the country gathered for the annual Rally for Medical Research. Established in 2013, the Rally aims to highlight the importance of making the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding a national priority.
The vast majority of NIH funding supports research awards, training programs, and research & development contracts. NIH dollars reach more than 2,500 universities and organizations nationwide, fueling thousands of projects and jobs. This funding has been directly linked to the development of hundreds of new drugs and to significant reductions in deaths from diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and stroke.
This year, the National Health Council (NHC) proudly joined the Rally alongside many NHC member organizations. The NHC was represented by Policy Manager, Allen Pinn, who participated with the Virginia delegation. The Virginia delegation met with multiple congressional offices, including Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and Representatives Eugene Vindman and James Walkinshaw.
The Rally took place against the background of an impending government shutdown (now in day 7) tied to FY’26 funding negotiations. Earlier in the year, the Administration proposed cutting NIH’s budget by nearly 40%, a move critics warned would severely undermine U.S. biomedical research and weaken the nation’s global leadership in medical innovation. Historically, funding for medical research has enjoyed strong bipartisan support, and advocates urged policymakers to continue this tradition. Rally participants focused on two key asks in their meeting with congressional offices:
- Fund NIH with $51.3 billion, or with the highest appropriation increase possible
- Maintain bipartisan cooperation to complete the FY 2026 appropriations process and avoid disruptions in medical research
During these meetings, rally participants shared powerful firsthand accounts illustrating the impact of NIH funding. Caregivers spoke about supporting family members with Alzheimer’s, while university researchers highlighted how NIH grants sustain their work and drive breakthroughs. Their stories underscored how medical research is essential to the fabric of the American health care system and saves lives.
The NHC continues to urge Congress to maintain bipartisan support for biomedical research and fully fund the NIH. As the government shutdown persists, disruptions to health programs and services threaten the care of millions of patients. The NHC stands with patients in calling on Congress to reach a bipartisan solution that sustains and elevates research and innovation.
