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Democrats warn NIH, Medicaid and marketplace cuts would harm patients and research at Ways and Means hearing
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Summary
Protect Our Care and Democratic members told a House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee hearing that proposed cuts to NIH, Medicaid and the possible expiration of enhanced marketplace tax credits would worsen access, research and outcomes for people with chronic diseases.
Leslie Dock, founder and co‑chair of Protect Our Care and a former senior HHS official, and several Democratic members warned the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee that proposed funding freezes and cuts to NIH, Medicaid and enhanced marketplace premium tax credits (APTCs) would harm patients, slow research and increase costs.
“Proposals before Congress would cut over $2,000,000,000,000 from Medicaid, which provides health care to over 72,000,000 people,” Dock said, citing figures she said are in circulation and urging lawmakers to protect Medicaid and NIH funding. She told members that Medicaid is a lifeline for nursing home residents, children and people with disabilities and said cuts would strain state budgets and rural hospitals.
Dock also described a temporary federal grant freeze issued January 27 by the new administration that affected community health centers’ cash flow; witnesses and members said some community health centers reported difficulty accessing funds to pay staff. Dock urged Congress to oppose actions that would pause NIH grants, halt clinical trials or limit public access to scientific guidance.
Committee Democrats emphasized that Medicaid and NIH support are central to prevention, treatment and research. Members recounted district‑level impacts — for example, the University of Texas system and research centers were named as facing potential NIH funding losses in testimony — and pressed witnesses to outline the consequences for people with chronic diseases and for rural hospitals which rely heavily on Medicaid payments.
Republican members also expressed interest in prevention and reducing costs, but the hearing showed clear partisan disagreement about the effect of proposed budget and regulatory changes. Democratic witnesses and members asked the committee to act to preserve research funding, community health‑center stability and enhanced marketplace credits that lower premiums for many working families.
