The battle over billions of dollars in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding cuts ordered under the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures has intensified, with Long Island researchers and patients making a passionate plea to preserve crucial medical research funding.
“Without Funding, We Have No Hope” – Patients and Researchers Speak Out
For Emma Larson, a sixth grader with a genetic spinal condition, the impact of NIH-funded research is personal. A lifesaving drug developed at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has allowed her to survive. On Monday, she returned to the renowned research institute with a direct message to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, which proposed the cuts.
“They’re not in our shoes, so they don’t know how dire the situation is.” – Emma Larson
Emma’s mother, Dianne Larson, echoed the same concern, urging lawmakers to reconsider:
“I understand there might be budget cuts, but can we look at other areas instead of the most important—sick kids, sick people, people who have no hope? Without funding, we have no hope.”
Emma and her family joined leading medical researchers in strong opposition to the across-the-board NIH funding cuts, which include a reduction to 15% of indirect costs—the funds that support lab maintenance, equipment, and utilities.
Researchers Warn: “We Cannot Do Our Work Without This Funding”
Leading breast cancer researcher Professor David Spector from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory emphasized that these indirect costs are not wasteful spending:
“We cannot do our research without this kind of funding. It covers the electricity in our labs. We can’t use sophisticated microscopes without electricity.” – Prof. David Spector
The cuts would force research institutions to scale back critical projects, delaying medical breakthroughs and impacting thousands of lives dependent on ongoing medical research.
Sen. Schumer Calls on Long Island Republicans to Oppose NIH Cuts
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Long Island’s Republican members of Congress to join efforts in blocking the cuts, highlighting the devastating consequences of reduced NIH funding.
“We are all living longer and healthier, and some people who are alive today would not be alive without the work done at these labs. And now we want to cut it and call it waste? How mindless.” – Sen. Chuck Schumer
If enacted, the funding reductions would slash $50 million annually from Long Island’s research institutions, jeopardizing 450 ongoing research projects and 30,000 jobs in the region.
Republican Lawmakers Respond to Funding Concerns
Republican Rep. Nick Lalota acknowledged the concerns but said it’s too early to assume the worst:
“This is premature. I sense some early alarm ringing. We absolutely need to look at costs at all of our federal agencies. There should be no sacred cows whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino joined a bipartisan letter raising concerns over the negative impact of the NIH cuts.
At Stony Brook University, which stands to lose $27 million per year, President Richard McCormick highlighted that the funding cap would harm Stony Brook’s $20 million 9/11 health and welfare program, which provides critical medical monitoring and treatment to thousands of 9/11 first responders.
“This cap will significantly harm Stony Brook’s 9/11 health and welfare program, which monitors and treats thousands of our heroic 9/11 first responders.” – Richard McCormick, Stony Brook University President
What’s at Stake? The Future of Medical Research in the U.S.
The court battles over NIH funding cuts could have far-reaching consequences. With thousands of research projects at risk, including life-saving treatments for cancer, rare diseases, and neurological disorders, the debate over federal budget priorities continues.
For now, patients, researchers, and lawmakers are urging the government to protect NIH funding and prevent setbacks in medical advancements that could impact millions of lives.
