Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with 21 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The lawsuit challenges recent cuts to funding that supports medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the United States.
Rayfield expressed concern over these cuts, stating, "President Trump’s disdain for science has been long evident, but these cuts represent a dangerous culmination of years of undermining trusted public health expertise." He emphasized that the administration's actions could adversely affect Americans who rely on this research for their well-being.
The coalition is opposing the Trump Administration's decision to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements at research institutions nationwide. These reimbursements are essential for covering expenses such as laboratory costs, faculty salaries, infrastructure maintenance, and utility bills. Without them, ongoing medical research efforts in the U.S. could be significantly hindered.
The NIH plays a crucial role as the primary source of federal funding for medical research in the country. Its grants have historically facilitated numerous scientific breakthroughs including cancer treatments, DNA sequencing, and MRI development.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts following an announcement by NIH on February 7 that it would cut indirect cost rates to 15%. This rate reduction was set to take effect immediately on February 10 without allowing universities and institutions time to adjust their budgets accordingly.
In addition to Attorney General Rayfield from Oregon, attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin have joined in filing this lawsuit.