Protect NIH Funded Research

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Protect NIH Funded Research

Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Congressman Cliff Benz, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, Congresswoman Val Hoyle, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas

NIH-funded research at OHSU drives innovations in drug discovery, neuroscience, infectious disease treatments, and cancer research– essential contributions directly related to improved patient care and disease outcomes for over 300,000 Oregonians.

Our elected officials in Congress need to hear from us about how important this funding is not only for their life-saving results, but the local economic impact the loss of these jobs would have.

Sponsored by

AFSCME Oregon

Salem, OR

To: Senator Ron Wyden, Senator Jeff Merkley, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Congressman Cliff Benz, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, Congresswoman Val Hoyle, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas
From: [Your Name]

As members of Oregon’s only academic health center, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) researchers, students, postdocs, and staff are deeply concerned about the uncertainty surrounding NIH funding cuts. NIH-funded research at OHSU drives innovations in drug discovery, neuroscience, infectious disease treatments, and cancer research– essential contributions directly related to improved patient care and disease outcomes for over 300,000 Oregonians. Our institution is committed to advancing life-saving therapies, and we rely on this vital funding to make these discoveries happen. Indirect funds are indispensable for maintaining facilities that support our research, from proper specimen frozen storage to vital veterinary services for animal trials.

Potential cuts to NIH funding will also harm Oregon’s local economy. According to United for Medical Research, in FY 2023, $416.8 million in NIH funding contributed significantly to Oregon’s economy, supporting over 5,000 jobs and resulting in $991.8 million of economic activity. The indirect funds from this contribution sustain the salaries of technologists, veterinarians, and clinical trial personnel. Without their talent, many labs would be forced to abandon ongoing clinical and research projects, wasting valuable time and resources.

The uncertainty surrounding funding cuts undermines Oregon’s research infrastructure, endangering the careers of both early career and senior scientists. These cuts would undermine Oregon's competitive edge in medical sciences, directly affecting the patients of Oregon and the greater public whose treatments are improved by the discoveries made at OHSU.

We urge you to invest in additional funding structures to support life-saving medical research in Oregon, including the protection of gender-affirming healthcare. Sustaining NIH funding is essential for institutions like OHSU to continue providing cutting-edge medical care and ensuring the future of scientific innovation.

We are demanding that you:
-Create alternative funding structures to support ongoing medical research
-Oppose NIH funding cuts and commit to Oregon public health
-Protect clinical research on underrepresented groups, and honor current protections on gender-affirming care

Thank you for your time and consideration during this critical moment.