Attorney General Kathy Jennings, 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 suit challenges what they describe as unlawful cuts to funds supporting medical and public health research at universities and institutions nationwide.
The coalition opposes the administration's decision to reduce "indirect cost" reimbursements for research institutions across the country. These reimbursements cover essential expenses such as laboratory costs, faculty salaries, infrastructure maintenance, and utilities. Without these funds, vital medical research could be compromised.
Attorney General Jennings stated that "NIH funding ensures that American biomedical research is the envy of the world," emphasizing that cuts would harm Delaware’s research facilities' workforce and impede medical science advancements.
Research funded by NIH primarily occurs outside federal government institutions at both public and private universities. The University of Delaware faces a potential $12 million loss due to reduced indirect cost rates, impacting its ability to support critical research programs. Delaware State University may lose $1.4 million, affecting studies on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, breast cancer, and AI-assisted medical imaging analysis.
Indirect cost reimbursements are negotiated with the federal government based on each institution's specific needs. The Trump administration's move to discard these agreements poses risks to public health and scientific progress. The lawsuit aims to halt this action.
On Friday, NIH announced an abrupt reduction in indirect cost rates to a uniform 15%, effective immediately. This decision leaves universities unprepared for significant budget shortfalls that could lead to suspended clinical trials and disrupted research programs.
The attorneys general argue this action violates the Administrative Procedure Act and contradicts congressional directives from President Trump's first term meant to protect research funding from drastic cuts. They seek a court order preventing implementation of these changes.
NIH is a primary source of federal funding for U.S. medical research. Its grants have led to numerous scientific breakthroughs like cancer treatments and DNA sequencing advancements. Many NIH-supported scientists have received Nobel Prizes for their contributions.
States joining Delaware in this legal challenge include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin