(New York, NY) — Today, President Trump proposed slashing the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget by $5.8 billion, an 18% loss in funding, as part of his America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again. NIH funding is an essential element to New York State’s health care and economic sectors, and this cut is a direct threat to the future of academic research in New York State.
The NIH supports research to the tune of $32.3 billion a year in grants, including $2.2 billion in New York State alone. Because of its high concentration of world-class research institutions, New York ranks 3rd among states in total NIH funding awards, currently receiving almost 7% of total NIH funding. A reduction of the size proposed by President Trump would cut NIH funding to New York State by approximately $400 million.
NIH funding is what’s allowing researchers to discover cures and develop treatments for both the deadliest diseases and those that severely impact our quality of life. Currently researchers at medical schools across New York are working to make advancements against cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and numerous other diseases that impact countless people each year. Cuts to NIH puts the continuation of medical advancements, and our country’s health, at risk.
“The President’s proposed cuts would be devastating to academic research institutions in New York State and are a threat to future advancements in biomedical research, not to mention the serious economic impact to our health care sector,” said Jo Wiederhorn, President of the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY). “Researchers at New York’s world-class medical centers rely on the National Institutes of Health to fund studies ranging from basic science inquiries to large clinical trials, which lead to groundbreaking medical discoveries and improve the health of our nation, while generating significant economic activity.“
In New York State, NIH funding supports more than 31,000 jobs at 176 institutions. A study commissioned by AMSNY found that for every federal research dollar invested in New York State’s medical schools, more than $7.50 in economic activity is generated within the state. If enacted, these budget cuts would be devastating to the biomedical community and economy of New York.
“The Administration’s proposed plan to slash the NIH budget is shortsighted and would damage the U.S. economy and the health of Americans. Biomedical research is one of the crown jewels of American innovation. Every modern medical advance—from statins and stents to treat cardiovascular disease, genomic analysis that identifies babies who will benefit from early interventions, to cancer immunotherapy—is the direct result of investment in biomedical research. We implore Congress to reject the proposal,” said Lee Goldman, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine, Chief Executive of Columbia University Medical Center, and Chair of AMSNY.
In addition to the loss of grant funding from NIH, the proposed elimination of key health programs as part of the 18% cut from the overall Health and Human Services budget is a serious cause for concern. These include eliminating the Fogarty International Center, block granting the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, downgrading the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and eliminating the Title VII and VIII grants for health professions training programs. These programs improve the health and safety of people in the United States and around the world, keep us safe and manage public health emergencies, and train health care professionals treating the most vulnerable citizens.
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The Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) is a consortium of the 16 public and private medical schools throughout New York State. AMSNY’s mission is to promote high quality and cost-efficient health care by assuring that the medical schools of New York State can provide outstanding medical education, care and research. The combined total of New York’s medical schools economic impact equals more than $85.6 billion. This means $1 in every $13 in the New York economy is related to AMSNY medical schools and their primary hospital affiliates. For more information on AMSNY, please visit: www.amsny.org
Contact: Jaime Williams
914-325-8877