President Trump’s Proposed FY 2020 Budget Would Cut the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding by Nearly $5 Billion, Including a $429 Million Cut to National Institute on Aging (NIA) Funding. The Administration Also Proposed Reallocating $10.6 Million of FY 2019 NIA Funding to The Department of Health and Human Services to Fund Migrant Children Care.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Chairman George Vradenburg released the following statement on President Trump’s proposed deep cuts to NIH and NIA funding for Fiscal Year 2020 and reallocation of Fiscal Year 2019 Funds:

“UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is wholeheartedly opposed to any reduction in funding for the NIH and NIA. We know we can find a cure for Alzheimer’s, but we can’t do it with an underfunded NIH. The proposed cuts demonstrate the President’s blatant disregard for the important research being done to cure and treat deadly diseases. We have seen firsthand the power of year-over-year increases to funding for research. Cancer and HIV/AIDS were once death sentences, but because research was funded at levels consistent with the severity of these diseases, mortality rates have sharply decreased.”

“It is not the time to decrease research funding for any disease, especially one as complex and devastating as Alzheimer’s. If we do, it would severely damage our ability to discover innovative new treatments and could cost countless lives.”

“Too many families are waiting for breakthrough treatments for Alzheimer’s. With massive funding increases in recent years, we have made important progress toward accelerating a cure for Alzheimer’s. However, President Trump’s proposed cuts to the NIH and NIA budgets would seriously undermine this progress and be at the extreme detriment to our country’s health.”

“With nearly 6 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, a number that will only sharply increase as our population continues to age, it is without a doubt the public health crisis of the 21st century. Decreasing funding for Alzheimer’s research will only exacerbate the crisis and cost further lives. Beyond addressing the human toll, investing in cures will also rein in the nearly $300 billion in government and family spending on Alzheimer's and is the most direct path to long-term health care cost savings.”

“UsAgainstAlzheimer’s looks forward to working with the many bipartisan leaders in Congress who recognize that a well-funded NIH is critical to promoting the nation’s health and reducing costs associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s. We also hope to engage in dialogue with the Administration to revisit this reckless proposal going forward.”

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