The Sconi

Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with representatives from 21 other states, have initiated legal action against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The lawsuit challenges recent funding cuts to medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the nation.

The coalition is opposing the administration's decision to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements, which cover essential expenses like laboratory maintenance, faculty support, infrastructure, and utilities for biomedical research. These reductions threaten to compromise the United States' position as a leader in lifesaving medical research.

Indirect cost reimbursements are typically negotiated based on each institution's needs through a regulated process. However, the current administration aims to disregard these agreements. The coalition's lawsuit seeks to prevent what they consider reckless actions that could hinder public health advancements.

Gov. Evers expressed concern over potential impacts: “To think that the Trump Administration wants to gut funding to help find cures and treatments for things like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes—it’s unconscionable.” He emphasized Wisconsin's role in global problem-solving through its university system.

Attorney General Kaul criticized the funding cuts: “This really should go without saying, but making drastic and rushed cuts to funding that supports the fight against cancer and other dangerous diseases is wrong.” He argued that these reductions aim to finance tax breaks benefiting wealthy individuals.

The NIH announced on February 7 an abrupt cut in indirect cost rates to a flat 15%, effective February 10. This decision left universities with little time for budget adjustments. Without intervention, this could lead to suspended clinical trials, disrupted research programs, layoffs, and laboratory closures.

The coalition argues this action violates several federal regulations including the Administrative Procedure Act. They seek a court order preventing implementation of these changes by the Trump Administration and NIH.

The NIH has historically been a key source of federal medical research funding in the U.S., leading numerous scientific breakthroughs such as cancer treatments and DNA sequencing innovations. The proposed cuts would significantly affect institutions like UW-Madison in Wisconsin by eliminating approximately $65 million in funding this year alone.

States joining Wisconsin include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington