Protect Lifesaving Research: 47 Patient Groups Urge Congress to Reject FY26 Cuts

September 2, 2025

The Honorable Tom Cole        Chairman Committee on Appropriations Washington, DC 20515 

The Honorable Robert Aderholt Chairman Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro Ranking Member Committee on Appropriations Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, and Chairman Aderholt:

We, the undersigned 47 organizations, represent millions of Americans living with chronic and acute diseases – people whose lives depend on improved treatments and the discovery of cures. We are writing to strongly urge you and your colleagues to prioritize and support robust federal funding for medical research as you develop the FY26 budget. Continued public investment in research for cures is critical to advancing prevention, early detection, developing innovative treatments, and finding life-saving cures. We know that more than 2/3 of all Americans oppose reductions to medical research funding, and we urge you to hold strong against cuts.

Federal investment in medical research has led to breakthroughs that have touched nearly every American, including:

  • New treatments that are helping cancer patients live longer with fewer side effects

  • Continuous glucose monitors that make it easier for people with diabetes to manage their condition every day

  • More effective therapies for people living with asthma and COPD to breathe easier

  • Genetic testing to diagnose rare disorders in infants and children

  • Finding new interventions and procedures to change the lives of people living with heart disease

  • The first FDA-approved clot busting drug for stroke

  • Growing understanding of the biology of profound autism

  • Advances like CAR T-cell therapy, precision immunology, and AI-driven diagnostics

  • Recent breakthroughs that hold the promise of preventing inflammatory bowel diseases

  • Novel gene therapies for ALS

  • Small-molecule therapies that have extended the lives of people with cystic fibrosis by decades

  • An implantable brain device to treat a form of childhood onset epilepsy

  • Life-saving treatments for SMA, the leading genetic cause of death in infants

  • New tests detecting Alzheimer’s disease earlier and disease modifying therapies for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease

  • All multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapies that help slow disease progression

  • Every available therapy for pulmonary hypertension

  • Innovations in HIV treatment, prevention, and vaccine development

  • New treatments for advanced prostate cancer that have added years to patients’ lives

  • Identifying a link between environmental toxins and Parkinson's disease and discovering ways to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s

But this progress is at risk. Cutting federal medical research funding would have devastating consequences. These cuts would stall progress, end clinical trials prematurely, and close the door to potential lifesaving treatments.

Cuts would also mean wasted investments and a serious setback for America’s leadership in medical innovations. We lead the world in medical research, but we face growing competition. Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. In fact, in polling conducted by United for Cures, 95% of Americans say it is important the United States continues to be a global leader when it comes to medical research. Ongoing federal investment is essential to protect that leadership and ensure breakthroughs reach the people who need them most.

We look forward to working with you during the markup period to ensure continued strong investment in medical research that will deliver the treatments, technologies, and cures the American people urgently need and deserve.

Thank you for your continued leadership and for prioritizing the health of our country.

Sincerely,

  • AiArthritis

  • The AIDS Institute

  • Alliance for Aging Research

  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

  • American Diabetes Association

  • American Heart Association

  • American Lung Association

  • Arthritis Foundation

  • The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration

  • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

  • Autism Science Foundation

  • Autoimmune Association

  • Blood Cancer United

  • Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)

  • Cancer Nation (formerly National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship)

  • Cancer Support Community

  • CancerCare

  • Chronic Disease Coalition

  • Coalition for Hemophilia B

  • Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

  • Diabetes Leadership Council

  • Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition

  • Epilepsy Foundation of America

  • EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases

  • Friends of Cancer Research

  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association

  • I AM ALS

  • Immune Deficiency Foundation

  • LEAD Coalition

  • Lupus Foundation of America

  • Lymphoma Research Foundation

  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

  • Muscular Dystrophy Association

  • National Bleeding Disorders Foundation

  • National Health Council

  • National MS Society

  • National Organization for Rare Disorders

  • National Patient Advocate Foundation

  • National Psoriasis Foundation

  • Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN)

  • Parkinson's Foundation

  • Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease

  • Pulmonary Hypertension Association

  • Susan G. Komen

  • UsAgainstAlzheimer's

  • ZERO Prostate Cancer