WASHINGTON, DC – A letter has been sent by PA U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the recent cancellation of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grants and the impact on PA research institutions. On July 15, over 150 grantees, including some in PA, were notified that funding for ongoing, multi-year research projects would be canceled. Many had already undergone peer review and received federal funding in prior years. Both senators said while we greatly appreciate the Department’s commitment to ensuring federally funded research invests in scientific innovation and delivers meaningful value for taxpayers, we believe these objectives should be balanced with consideration of projects that have already undergone peer review and received federal funds. They cautioned that abruptly ending of projects after substantial federal investment could waste taxpayer resources, disrupt ongoing research, eliminate jobs, and delay innovations aimed at improving patient care. They also raised concerns that uncertainty surrounding continued federal research support could make it harder for institutions to plan long-term projects and retain experienced researchers.
SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN
SEN. DAVID MCCORMICK