The NIH (National Institutes of Health) has faced immense funding cuts since DOGE and RFK Jr came into the picture in January. They fund crucial health research to address cancer, diabetes, dementia and more. The funding also boosts the economy, returning more than 250% of the value invested. The White House ordered these cuts nationwide, taking the funds back already promised to the states.

We need to know in Lycoming County that this affects us. The current loss is $599 thousand, and the Annual future loss will be $2.2 million. Budgetary responsibility belongs to Congress, yet the Republican majority has done nothing to stop these cuts, and the Democrats are powerless to stop it without Republican votes to join them. We need to understand that the power to stop the cuts that fund research looking for treatment and cures for cancers (adult and childhood), dementia, diabetes, etc. sit with the party in the majority. They have washed their hands of this responsibility.

It bears mentioning that these are only NIH research grants I refer to; thousands of other health research grants have also been cancelled. The administration is not making America healthy, they are setting us back decades. Call McCormick and Meuser and ask them why. Much of this money will go to the huge tax break for the wealthy, which averages $270,000 a year for each. Ask them to put this money back where it belongs, into health research as well as other programs being cut. The wealthy won’t miss it.

JOAN DERSHEM

Williamsport

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom