WASHINGTON (March 12, 2026) – Today, 53 of America’s largest and most influential patient advocacy organizations called on House and Senate Appropriations Committees to prioritize and support robust federal funding for medical research in the fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget.

In a letter sent to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Senate Vice Chair Patty Murray, and House Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, the organizations urged lawmakers to continue to champion medical research and fund the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at least $51 billion for FY2027.

“Nearly every American family is touched by serious, complex and chronic illnesses that are directly impacted and can benefit from continued investment in medical research and treatments,” the letter states. “During the FY2026 appropriations process, you delivered on a promise to millions of patients and families to continue to fund federal medical research that delivers treatments, cures, and innovation. You know that patients don’t have time to wait for cures and better treatment.”

The letter was signed by organizations representing millions of Americans living with chronic and acute diseases, some of which are incurable or do not have treatments. In the letter, the organizations highlight that 92% of Americans support basic scientific research and that 62% believe the federal government spends too little on medical research.

Full text of the letter can be found on the United for Cures website.