NHC Statement for the Record on Senate Research Funding (PDF)
Prepared Written Testimony Kimberly Beer
Senior Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, National Health Council
U.S. Senate, Committee on Appropriations
April 30, 2025
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony regarding the critical importance of government funding for medical research, particularly as you consider FY’26 appropriations for investments in innovation and advancements in health care. We urge the Committee to prioritize funding for federal agencies and key health research programs that directly affect patients and caregivers and are essential to maintaining a strong and resilient health care research infrastructure. Robust federal investment is critical to achieving and advancing innovation that improves the health and well-being of all Americans—especially individuals living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Now more than ever we urge full and ongoing investment in research programs and institutions. Advancements in understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases have transformed lives by extending quality of life, improving health, and offering hope to many who feel excluded from new therapies, especially in rare disease areas where options are limited.
For more than 100 years, the National Health Council (NHC) has convened diverse patient groups and health stakeholders to forge consensus on patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable, equitable health care. Made up of more than 180 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC’s core membership includes the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
Government Funding for Research and Its Positive Impact on Patients
Federal investment in research and science is the cornerstone for the development of medicines and health technologies and is often the critical first step in discovering new treatments. Our market-driven manufacturing system will continue to require both financial and other incentives to develop treatments for conditions like rare diseases where market forces alone may not drive innovation. Collaboration between nonprofits, commercial entities, academia, and other stakeholders is essential, and federal funding serves as the linchpin across these sectors. Federal funding for research plays a significant role in enabling these partnerships and ensuring that treatment and technology breakthroughs continue to emerge.
The Consequences of Drastic Cuts to Research Funding
If research funding is reduced, the progress we have made in treating cancer, rare diseases, and neurological conditions, for example, could be severely hindered. Delays in research and development will have devastating consequences for patients, especially those who are waiting for the next breakthrough that could improve or even save their lives.
At a time when public health care challenges are growing more complex, the NHC is concerned that ongoing efforts to eliminate research programs, reduce the role of the federal government in health research, and restructure of essential health agencies is undermining our nation’s ability to effectively address pressing health matters. A robust federal research infrastructure, which includes supporting scientists and researchers, is essential to addressing emerging health crises and support ongoing health priorities and programs that are vital to the well-being all Americans.
Conclusion
The NHC urges the Committee to provide adequate funding for programs that invest in research to advance understanding, treatment, and eventual cures for chronic diseases. This includes critical Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) research funding at the National Institutes of Health and elsewhere at HHS and the restoration of funding at the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense. Robust, sustained research funding drives scientific breakthroughs that improve lives and reduce long-term health care costs.
Thank you for your consideration of the NHC’s recommendations as you finalize funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2026. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that the voices of patients are heard and that the federal government remains a key partner in advancing medical research for the benefit of all.
Please contact Kimberly Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs
at kbeer@nhcouncil.org or 202-557-9146 with any questions or request for additional information.
NHC Statement for the Record on Senate Research Funding (PDF)
Prepared Written Testimony Kimberly Beer
Senior Vice President, Policy and External Affairs, National Health Council
U.S. Senate, Committee on Appropriations
April 30, 2025
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony regarding the critical importance of government funding for medical research, particularly as you consider FY’26 appropriations for investments in innovation and advancements in health care. We urge the Committee to prioritize funding for federal agencies and key health research programs that directly affect patients and caregivers and are essential to maintaining a strong and resilient health care research infrastructure. Robust federal investment is critical to achieving and advancing innovation that improves the health and well-being of all Americans—especially individuals living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Now more than ever we urge full and ongoing investment in research programs and institutions. Advancements in understanding, diagnosing, and treating diseases have transformed lives by extending quality of life, improving health, and offering hope to many who feel excluded from new therapies, especially in rare disease areas where options are limited.
For more than 100 years, the National Health Council (NHC) has convened diverse patient groups and health stakeholders to forge consensus on patient-centered health policy. We promote increased access to affordable, high-value, sustainable, equitable health care. Made up of more than 180 national health-related organizations and businesses, the NHC’s core membership includes the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
Government Funding for Research and Its Positive Impact on Patients
Federal investment in research and science is the cornerstone for the development of medicines and health technologies and is often the critical first step in discovering new treatments. Our market-driven manufacturing system will continue to require both financial and other incentives to develop treatments for conditions like rare diseases where market forces alone may not drive innovation. Collaboration between nonprofits, commercial entities, academia, and other stakeholders is essential, and federal funding serves as the linchpin across these sectors. Federal funding for research plays a significant role in enabling these partnerships and ensuring that treatment and technology breakthroughs continue to emerge.
The Consequences of Drastic Cuts to Research Funding
If research funding is reduced, the progress we have made in treating cancer, rare diseases, and neurological conditions, for example, could be severely hindered. Delays in research and development will have devastating consequences for patients, especially those who are waiting for the next breakthrough that could improve or even save their lives.
At a time when public health care challenges are growing more complex, the NHC is concerned that ongoing efforts to eliminate research programs, reduce the role of the federal government in health research, and restructure of essential health agencies is undermining our nation’s ability to effectively address pressing health matters. A robust federal research infrastructure, which includes supporting scientists and researchers, is essential to addressing emerging health crises and support ongoing health priorities and programs that are vital to the well-being all Americans.
Conclusion
The NHC urges the Committee to provide adequate funding for programs that invest in research to advance understanding, treatment, and eventual cures for chronic diseases. This includes critical Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) research funding at the National Institutes of Health and elsewhere at HHS and the restoration of funding at the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense. Robust, sustained research funding drives scientific breakthroughs that improve lives and reduce long-term health care costs.
Thank you for your consideration of the NHC’s recommendations as you finalize funding priorities for Fiscal Year 2026. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that the voices of patients are heard and that the federal government remains a key partner in advancing medical research for the benefit of all.
Please contact Kimberly Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs
at kbeer@nhcouncil.org or 202-557-9146 with any questions or request for additional information.