Have you seen the power of government-supported research?
Have you seen the damage when that research is cut?
Federal cuts to biomedical research funding aren’t just eliminating line items on a budget. They have real, life-changing consequences. For many people, this research has saved and transformed their lives. For others, these cuts are devastating—stalling promising treatments, shuttering research labs, and forcing scientists out of the field.
Many don’t realize how deep these cuts go.
Once they find out, it feels unbelievable—because who would cut live-saving research?
sTORIES hAVE pOWER
We can influence research funding decisions by sharing real stories of the impacts of biomedical research. We’re gathering stories from patients, caregivers, researchers, and advocates to show lawmakers and the public what’s at stake.
Health cuts cost lives.
Health cuts cost hope.
Health cuts cost careers.
Health cuts cost progress.
Health cuts cost American leadership.
Together, we can tell Congress:
#HealthCutsCost!
What We’re Doing
We’re gathering firsthand stories to:
- Highlight how publicly funded research can heal, protect, and enhance lives
- Expose how funding cuts harm biomedical research
- Show the personal impact funding cuts have on lives and futures
- Create a groundswell of public advocacy that motivates lawmakers to protect and restore funding
Your story can help turn the tide.
Real Impact
Starts with
Real Stories
If you or someone you know has benefited from federal research or been negatively impacted by funding cuts, please share your story with us. Together, we can make a difference and show the life-saving impact of this research.
Health Cuts Cost…
Innovation
NIH research underpins almost every modern drug: 354 of 356 approved between 2010–2019. Cut the funding, and future breakthroughs stall.
Talent
Even brief funding gaps cause 40% job losses in single-grant labs and a 90% drop in publications. Cuts push young scientists out for good.
Jobs
In 2024, NIH funding generated $94.6 billion in economic output, supported 407,782 jobs, and returned $2.56 for every $1 invested. Cuts shrink economies and kill local jobs.
JAMA Health Forum. 2025;6(7):e252228. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.2228
Why Your Story Matters
Government-funded research doesn’t just enable science—it saves lives.
Whether you have been impacted by these cuts as a patient, caregiver, or researcher, your story highlights the consequences of reducing investments in science.
We want to hear from:
- Patients whose lives were improved or saved thanks to breakthroughs enabled by public research funding
- Patients facing treatment delay, denial, or limitations
- Families and caregivers struggling with uncertainty
- Researchers whose projects have been defunded or delayed
- Anyone else affected directly or indirectly by these funding decisions
How Your Story Will Be Used
We will share these stories to boost awareness about #HealthCutsCost:
- With Advocacy Groups: Providing stories and facts to help them advocate for funding protection locally.
- On Social Media: Developing content, templates, and ads highlighting the personal impact of funding cuts.
- In the News: Partnering with local journalists to feature your stories.
Choose your level of anonymity:
- Full attribution: Your name and story, shared publicly
- Limited attribution: Anonymized description of you and your story (e.g., “a patient with ALS from Florida”)
- Full anonymity: No identifying details—just your story
Join the fight
See how you can strengthen our impact.
Health Cuts Cost 