WASHINGTON (March 18, 2026) – United for Cures, a collaborative network of patient advocacy organizations, released the following statement after the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee oversight hearing on March 17.

“We are heartened by the strong, bipartisan support among the members of the Subcommittee for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its work to pursue scientific advancements to discover new treatments and cures for the American people.

“Now that NIH has its full apportionment of FY26 funding, the focus must be on ensuring that grant renewals and new awards are issued quickly and efficiently.  We appreciate NIH Director Bhattacharya's commitment to ensuring the Institutes adhere to the Congressional limits on multi-year funding and invest their FY26 appropriated dollars in the best science possible. That is the way to ensure the funding from Congress can translate into real-world delivery of treatments, reducing disease burden, and improving lives, delivering treatments, reducing disease burden, and improving lives.

“Patients and families across the country are waiting. For those facing serious and life-threatening conditions, time is not a luxury.”