Health Cuts Temporarily Blocked

 Daily Skimm - A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's plan to slash billions in research funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday just hours after 22 states sued to stop it. The NIH had planned to cap “indirect costs” — funds that cover essentials like lab equipment and maintenance by 15%, a move that universities and medical centers say would gut key medical research. Scientists warn in the lawsuit that the cuts would derail medical advancements, stating that “cutting-edge work to cure and treat human disease will grind to a halt.” While scientists view these costs as essential, some Republicans have called them unnecessary.

 The judge ordered the NIH to continue grant payments and provide compliance reports within 24 hours. Before the injunction, scientists warned the cuts could undermine facilities tackling critical health issues like cancer and heart disease, while also exacerbating existing disparities in women’s health. A 2023 analysis found that just 8.8% of NIH grants from 2013-2023 went to women’s health research, even as the agency's overall budget grew. The funding cuts also coincide with the NIH's decision to end a decades-long initiative aimed at diversifying the biomedical workforce. Experts argue that curbing diversity narrows the pool of contributors and the scope of the research, potentially leaving valuable discoveries untapped.