National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded research has transformed care delivery by expanding access to palliative care; improving the Medicare hospice benefit by identifying quality gaps and opportunities for greater efficiency; and reducing overall healthcare costs. Advances in serious illness research have resulted from NIH-funded universities and academic medical centers and the growth and success of this research over the past 20 years is a major achievement largely due to NIH investment. Reductions in NIH funding and the NIH workforce would be catastrophic for patients and their families. 

Recent attempts to alter funding policies, withhold grants, and reduce indirect cost payments would have a hugely negative impact on palliative care research. Over the last 20 years, there has been amazing growth and success in research of serious illness, and these proposed reductions in NIH funding and workforce would be catastrophic for patients and their families.

Take action today and reach out to your congressional delegations to urge their support for NIH funding and ongoing serious illness research.  Be sure to add your personal stories to these messages so your Senators and Representatives understand the impact these cuts will have on the local communities they represent.