SALEM, OR - Biomedical researchers from OHSU testified in front of the House Committee on Rules on April 9th, advocating for House Joint Memorial 6 (HJM 6), which urges Congress to prioritize strong annual federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). HJM 6 further urges Congress to increase investments in cutting-edge medical research through grants from the NIH to research institutions.
“NIH grants are foundational to breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The work these grants fund at OHSU supports advancements everywhere. NIH-supported research is tracing the roots of glaucoma, developing cancer treatments, and improving therapies for conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, retinal degeneration, and COVID-19,” said Abigail Moore, a Research Assistant in Dr. Melissa Wong’s OHSU’s Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology Lab.
"The researchers of OHSU tirelessly work to understand disease, develop treatments, and support cutting edge care not only at our institution, but internationally. Science is incredibly collaborative, and without contributions from American institutions supported by NIH funding like OHSU, we lose out on pioneering solutions in medicine" added Moore.
In addition to jeopardizing advancements in life-saving and life-extending therapies, NIH funding cuts would have serious economic consequences in Oregon.
NIH-funded research yields substantial economic benefits. In FY 2024, the NIH awarded $388 million in funding to Oregon, which supported 4,435 jobs directly or indirectly and generated approximately $964 million of in-state economic activity. This means that each dollar of NIH funding pays off roughly 2 ½ times over in economic activity in Oregon. This is a tremendous multiplier for our country.
“NIH funding fuels today’s research into tomorrow’s treatments,” said Representative Zach Hudson (D-East Multnomah County). “Patients who benefit from what OHSU and its team develop will live longer, healthier lives. This means more years to spend time with family and more freedom to enjoy the fruits of their labors.”
