Maura Healey says president targeting universities hurts US ‘competitiveness’ and affects research and hospitals

In a critical address at UMass Chan Medical School, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey warned that federal funding cuts initiated by the Trump Administration could have catastrophic consequences for healthcare and research institutions in the state. Healey highlighted the hiring freeze at UMass Chan as a direct result of potential cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, which has become a vital resource for medical research. She cited estimates that UMass Chan, which has been a leader in healthcare innovation and research, could lose up to $80 million in funding due to a proposed cap on NIH indirect funding. Healey's comments come after a coalition of 22 state attorney generals, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration for its handling of NIH funding. Despite the legal action, there are ongoing delays in funding disbursements, leading to significant cutbacks at UMass Chan, including rescinded PhD student offers and potential layoffs. This situation not only threatens the institution's research capabilities, particularly in areas like neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases but also jeopardizes jobs and economic stability in the broader Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem. The governor underscored the interconnectedness of the life sciences sector, stating that cuts could extend beyond academic institutions to impact local economies, including construction and service industries that depend on jobs created by research institutions. Healey further expressed concern that Massachusetts talent, particularly among its many international students, could be lured away by opportunities in other regions, thus weakening the state's competitive edge in the life sciences field. As Healey articulated the far-reaching implications of these funding cuts, her stark warning of a ‘serious crossroads’ in the U.S. serves as a rallying cry for collaboration and advocacy for the support of research funding. Her remarks reflect both the current challenges facing Massachusetts’ educational and healthcare institutions and a call to action for businesses and communities to recognize and engage with the implications of federal policy on local economies. In closing, the article emphasizes the urgency of the situation and the potential impact that NIH funding cuts could have, not just in Massachusetts, but across the nation, as states grapple with the fallout from federal policy decisions affecting research funding. The news is a compelling reminder of the stakes involved in federal budget decisions, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on sustained funding for research and innovation.