NIH's ‘forward-funding scheme'
FOLLOW THE MONEY
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) sparred over a proposal in the White House budget plan to give more grant recipients their money up front during a Senate Appropriations panel hearing on the agency's budget Tuesday.
At the hearing, Baldwin asked Bhattacharya to explain the proposal's 'forward-funding scheme,' which she said would result in even deeper cuts to the NIH than the 40 percent cut proposed by the White House.
By the numbers: Typically, NIH research grants are awarded for multiple years and funded incrementally. In the case of a $1 million award, for example, which might normally be paid out over four years with $250,000 paid out yearly, the full $1 million would now be paid in year one.
'It means billions will effectively be put in escrow and won't actually be spent on research for a number of years to come,' Baldwin said at the hearing.
It would also mean awarding fewer new grants.
The fiscal 2026 budget proposal estimates that NIH research grant awards would drop from 42,143 in 2024, to 38,069 in 2025, to 27,477 in 2026. First-time awards are estimated to fall from 10,086 in 2024, to 6,095 in 2025, to 4,312 in 2026.
Big picture: The change could deter grant applicants, said Erik Fatemi, a principal at lobbying firm Cornerstone Government Affairs and former Democratic staffer on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with authority over health care spending.
'When the success rate goes down to 7 percent, the odds are so low of winning an award that many researchers will ask themselves: 'Why even bother?'' Fatemi said.
Baldwin vs. Bhattacharya: 'It clearly shows the administration's intent,' Baldwin told Bhattacharya. 'You can cut $7 billion and dramatically reduce the number of NIH awards next year on your own, unless Congress steps in to stop that.'
Bhattacharya stood behind the proposal.
'In the long run, what it does is allow you to spend more money and have more flexibility for new research projects,' he said.
'That's funny math,' remarked Baldwin, a college math major, to which Bhattacharya shot back: 'That's just the math. I'm an economist also.'
When asked about the exchange, Baldwin told Erin: 'I can't get into his head to see how he can twist the facts around that much. But again, it's funny math if he's trying to insist that it won't negatively impact their research enterprise.'
WELCOME TO FUTURE PULSE
This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care.
Tonga, a constitutional monarchy in the South Pacific, is considering recognizing whales as legal persons, which would involve appointing human guardians to represent them in court, Inside Climate News reports.
Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Danny Nguyen at dnguyen@politico.com, Carmen Paun at cpaun@politico.com, Ruth Reader at rreader@politico.com, or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@politico.com.
Want to share a tip securely? Message us on Signal: Dannyn516.70, CarmenP.82, RuthReader.02 or ErinSchumaker.01.
FORWARD THINKING
POLITICO EXCLUSIVE: The Joint Commission, an Illinois-based nonprofit that accredits health care organizations, and the Coalition for Health AI, an alliance of health systems and tech companies, are teaming up to certify that hospitals using AI are doing so responsibly, Ruth reported yesterday.
Through partnering with CHAI, the Joint Commission plans to launch tools, best practices, as well as certifications that accelerate responsible use of AI. The Joint Commission will lean on CHAI for technical expertise. The certification program is expected this fall.
The new AI standards will focus on ensuring AI is implemented correctly and managed safely. They will also offer a framework for assessing the technology's impacts. Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin, CEO of the Joint Commission, said the standards will cover AI's use in medical care as well as operational functions.
Why it matters: Health systems are increasingly interested in using AI and adoption of the technology is expected to explode. As health care continues to get more expensive and the supply of physicians grows short, health systems are looking to AI to fill in the gaps.
'If we can reduce some of the administrative burden through [large language models], the sitting on hold, prior authorizations, documentation, if we can remove those things to allow providers to do the work that providers are best at,' said Matt Kull, chief digital officer at Inova, a North Carolina-based health system. 'I think we're going to do a lot for making people feel better in this country.'
But, but, but: There are not agreed upon standards for how AI should be implemented, managed, validated, or monitored across the industry. And health systems technology infrastructure, resources, and patient populations vary widely, making it especially difficult to come to a consensus on the issue.
How it could work: The Joint Commission already accredits large health systems, clinics, and hospitals. And it works with regulators, like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which uses the Joint Commission to determine whether an institution meets or exceeds Medicare and Medicaid requirements for reimbursement.
As far as AI is concerned, the Joint Commission has already launched a responsible-use-of-health-data certification, which lays the groundwork for AI's adoption in medicine by ensuring data is properly de-identified and safeguarded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ohio Reps. Marcy Kaptur, Shontel Brown on list of suspected Minnesota shooter
(AP/WJW) — From a legislator in downtown Minneapolis to a veteran Ohio congresswoman, many lawmakers included in the suspected Minnesota gunman's list of targets have vowed not to bow down. Vance Boelter, 57, has been charged with federal murder and stalking, along with state charges, following a nearly two-day search that culminated in his capture in the woods near his home. Lawmaker killings prompt security increase in Ohio He is suspected of shooting and killing former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday. He is also accused of wounding Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The dozens of politicians included in Boelter's writings were Democrats, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson. About 45 were state and federal officials in Minnesota, while elected leaders in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin said they were also mentioned in the writings. Authorities have not provided a motive for the shootings. Manny Atwal, Boelter's lead attorney, declined to comment, saying the office just got the case. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman's beloved dog also shot during attack, euthanized Ohio's own U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's office said in a statement that her name was included in Boelter's writing but that it will not get in the way of her work 'to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio.' Here's what the statement said in full: Congresswoman Kaptur is exceedingly grateful to law enforcement for keeping our Great Lakes communities safe on several occasions over these past few years and for their work around the clock this weekend in Minnesota. Political extremism in America is cause for serious reflection and concern. The inclusion of Congresswoman Kaptur's name in the Minnesota suspect's writings is a matter better left for law enforcement and investigators — but it will not deter her work to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio. Uplifting those who she has the honor to serve has been her sole focus every single day she has served and nothing will deter her from doing so now. At this time out of respect to law enforcement working around the clock locally, and nationwide to keep law makers safe, we will not be providing further public comment on this matter. Additionally, U.S. Representative Shontel Brown said in a statement that her name was also recovered from the suspect's notes. She released the following statement: The politically motivated attacks targeting Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were a horrific assault on our democracy and a heartbreaking tragedy for the families affected. My thoughts are with them—and with all who are shaken by this act of violence. I have been informed that my name appeared in evidence recovered from the suspect's notes. At the request of the U.S. Capitol Police, local law enforcement provided increased security at my home. I'm deeply grateful for their swift response and continued commitment to keeping public officials—and our communities—safe. This is a grim reminder of the growing threat public officials face—one that puts not just us, but our families, staff, and constituents at risk. I was swatted last year. Now my name is linked to another violent act. No one should feel unsafe simply for serving their community. The rise in violent rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and personal attacks is having real and dangerous consequences. Every leader—regardless of party—must speak out and stand against political violence in all its forms. On Wednesday, Brown spoke with FOX 8 News and said she is hopeful for the future. 'I am hopeful that because this incident occurred that we will be able to move forward with some standard policies and procedures on how to move forward with this without this escalating to a point where someone else's life is going to be lost,' Brown said. See more about the legislators included on the list right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
JD Vance boasts Trump will call in National Guard to quell riots ‘again if he has to' following appeals court victory
President Trump will not hesitate to send in the National Guard 'again' after an appeals court ruled the commander in chief can maintain control of thousands of troops he deployed to the City of Angeles in response to anti-ICE riots, Vice President JD Vance declared Friday. 'If you enforce your own laws and if you protect federal law enforcement, we're not going to send in the National Guard — because it's unnecessary,' Vance said during remarks outside a federal building in Los Angeles. 'But if you let violent rioters burn great American cities to the ground, then of course we're going to send federal law enforcement in to protect people.' 3 Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles on Friday, a city that has become the epicenter of anti-ICE riots in response to President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. The Sun 'The president's going to do it again if he has to, but hopefully it won't be necessary,' the vice president warned. Vance noted that the 'rioting has gotten a lot better' since Trump dispatched active-duty service members to LA, but he warned that local officials are 'worried that it's going to flare back up.' Los Angeles has become the epicenter of anti-ICE riots in response to Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump deployed troops to the City of Angeles to tamp down clashes between rioters and federal authorities seeking out criminal illegal migrants. The vice president toured a multi-agency federal joint operations center and an FBI mobile command center currently being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials during his trip to Los Angeles. Vance was briefed by leaders of the 14 different agencies — including ICE, Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol — using the operations center to coordinate immigration enforcement actions in LA. 3 Vance told reporters outside a Los Angeles federal building that, 'If you enforce your own laws and if you protect federal law enforcement, we're not going to send in the National Guard — because it's unnecessary.' The veep also met with some of the 200 active-duty Marines deployed to the city and tasked with protecting federal property and federal personnel. They will be joined by an additional 500 Marines and 2,000 more Guardsmen, on top of the 2,000 National Guard troops already active in the city. US District Court Judge Charles Breyer had previously ruled that Trump likely exceeded his constitutional authority by dispatching the soldiers despite opposition from California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom — marking the first deployment of a state National Guard by the president without the governor's permission since 1965. The San Francisco-based Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals, however, suggested in its ruling that Trump lawfully exercised his statutory authority in taking federal control of the guard, as the violence and chaos in Los Angeles warranted the administration's decision to do so. 3 Vance also said the rioting has calmed down a bit since President Trump sent the National Guard into the area. The Sun Trump called the decision a 'BIG WIN' in a post on Truth Social. The president has previously suggested that Los Angeles would be 'burning to the ground' if he hadn't sent in the Marines and National Guard to quell the anti-ICE riots. ICE has continued carrying out enforcement operations in LA despite the protests. During his brief remarks, Vance said that he wished Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) — who was thrown out of a Department of Homeland Security press conference last week and handcuffed after interrupting Secretary Kristi Noem — had been present, but he mixed up the senator's name. 'I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question, but unfortunately, I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn't the theater — and that's all it is.'
Politico
3 hours ago
- Politico
Bush 43 alum joins ‘shadow' RNC
With Daniel Lippman FIRST IN PI: Marc Racicot, the former Montana governor and RNC chair, is joining Our Republican Legacy as chair, lending his voice to the organization as it expands efforts to grow grassroots support for the pre-MAGA era of the GOP ahead of the midterms next year and presidential election in 2028. — Racicot joins former Sens. John Danforth and William Cohen, two founding chairs of the nonprofit that bills itself as the inheritor of true Republican Party values. Former Reps. Charlie Dent and Barbara Comstock are also being elevated to chairs as the organization seeks to grow its foothold in all 50 states. — 'There are a lot of good people that can come back into the fold, we just have to have the time and the messaging to work with them and show them what's going on,' Racicot told PI. — Racicot, who left public service after successfully managing President George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign, went on to spend four years as the president of the American Insurance Association (now known as the American Property Casualty Insurance Association). — 'We're building a 50-state national committee, basically a shadow version of the party,' Our Republican Legacy senior adviser Chris Vance told PI, while emphasizing that the organization is not a PAC and will not be endorsing specific candidates or making donations. — 'Maybe we, at some point, will form a PAC,' Vance said. 'But right now we are an advocacy group, like the NRA is an advocacy group, the Sierra Club, all these different organizations. They can't say the magic words — elect, donate, that sort of thing — but they still have a very big political impact by fighting for their ideas.' Happy first Friday of Summer and welcome to PI. This is Daniel (no, not that one) and I'm your guest host today. Send tips and recommendations on how to beat the heat this weekend to dbarnes@ or ping me on Signal. And follow me on X: @dnlbrns. Caitlin will be back on Monday. You can always reach her on Signal, email her at coprysko@ and follow her on X: @caitlinoprysko. BURR LOBBYING FOR BIOTECH: Former Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) will represent the Biotechnology Innovation Organization on issues related to drug pricing and supply chains, Medicare and Medicaid and reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, POLITICO's Amanda Chu reports. Burr is currently health policy chair at DLA Piper. FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES: Gaurav Srivastava, the Indian American businessperson who last year had major donations to Democrats frozen or returned after allegations he had posed as a spy for the CIA, now appears to be trying to curry favor with top Republicans, Daniel L. reports. — Srivastava on Thursday posted a photo he recently took with Vice President JD Vance, adding in a caption, 'Pleasure seeing Vice President @JDVance during last week's event in #WashingtonDC as we work towards strengthening America's future!' — The photo was taken at the performance of 'Les Misérables' at the Kennedy Center that President Donald Trump and Vance attended along with a slew of other senior administration and Republican figures. — 'Thousands of people were at the Kennedy Center that evening, and the Vice President took photos with many of them,' a spokesperson for Vance said in a statement to PI. A spokesperson for Srivastava did not provide a comment. Srivastava has disputed the 'fake spy' allegations in the past. — Earlier this year, Srivastava also had lunch with Hunter Biden, according to photos the Daily Mail snapped. — In 2023, the FBI reportedly began investigating Srivastava and where he got his money. Srivastava has been engaged in a long-running battle with Dutch oil trader Niels Troost after their business relationship went sour. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the status of the investigation. FOUL-MOUTH FAIN: 'In a scathing report from a court-appointed union watchdog, UAW President Shawn Fain is depicted as a foul-mouthed, hotheaded leader,' Liam Rappleye reports in the Detroit Free Press. — The 93-page report makes several references to 'a moment where Fain told hundreds of UAW members at a large staff meeting that he would 'slit' or 'cut' their throats if they messed with his closest aides.' — 'In another anecdote — which Fain admitted to be true — the UAW president confronted a print shop employee and launched into a 'tirade' upon hearing that [UAW Secretary-Treasurer Margaret Mock] wanted a photo of herself to appear alongside Fain on a pamphlet outlining details of an ongoing bargaining campaign.' — 'Fain reportedly confronted the Head of the Print Shop in a tirade, demanding, among other things, that she tell him, 'Who told you to put [Mock's] motherf------ photo on there? This is my motherf------ membership.'' SPOTTED at the Rainey Center's 'Tea Party Revival: Don't Tax the Light' at Butterworth's on Wednesday night: Citizen Solutions Inc.'s Tomer Kagan, National Nuclear Security Administration's Charles Moran, RNC's CJ Pearson, Log Cabin Republicans' Ed Williams, Andre Soriano, TSG Advocates' Chase Kroll, Rainey Center's Sarah Hunt, Chet Love and Connor Sandagata, Foundation for American Innovation's Zach Graves, Latinos for America First's Bianca Gracia, HHS' Gregory Angelo, Fox News' Ryan Schmelz, Treasury's Shane Shannon and Dean Ball of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Jobs report — The Modular Building Institute has added Alex Carmack as government affairs director, Andrew Muchnick as government affairs manager and Chastity Meade as communications manager. Carmack joins from the United Network for Organ Sharing where he worked as a policy analyst. Muchnick was previously a senior director in Bullpen Strategy Group's media intelligence practice. Meade was a community manager and social media manager for the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium. — Mike Spratt has joined the Investment Company Institute as an associate general counsel from the SEC where he previously was assistant director in the division of investment management disclosure review. — The American Land Title Association has promoted three members of their government relations staff. Elizabeth Blosser has been appointed chief strategy, communications and innovation officer. She was previously vice president of government affairs overseeing state advocacy. Emily Tryon has been promoted to chief advocacy officer. She was previously vice president of government affairs managing federal advocacy. Kevin Cameron takes on a new title as vice president, head of federal government affairs. He was previously senior director of federal government affairs. — Gregory Cox is the new executive director of the office of government relations at Texas Christian University. He was most recently an attorney in private practice and is a Greg Abbott alum. — Brett Tolman is the new chair for law and justice at America First Policy Institute. He previously served as chair of AFPI's weaponization of government initiative. — CropLife America has added Tonya Parish as senior manager of communications and government relations. Parish was previously communications manager for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. She is joined at CropLife by Jay Ivey, new manager of government relations. He was previously state outreach and public affairs coordinator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. New Joint Fundraisers Blue Dog Victory Fund (Cooke for Congress, Rep. Jared Golden, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Lou Correa, Rep. Adam Gray, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Mike Thompson) New PACs American Fidelity PAC (Super PAC) BDA PAC (Hybrid PAC) Founding Father's Vision PAC (Hybrid PAC) DraftKings Inc. Political Action Committee DBA DraftKings PAC (PAC) Fire Fetterman (Super PAC) Archer Aviation Inc. Political Action Committee (AKA Archer PAC) (PAC) MAGA KY (Super PAC) Lunatic Fringe Political Action Committee (PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Axadvocacy Government Relations: 503 Capital Partners Ballard Partners: Transportation Management Services Boundary Stone Partners: Mantel Capture, Inc Boundary Stone Partners: National Carbon Technologies, LLC Brightspring Health Services: Brightspring Health Services Continental Strategy, LLC: Cm Consortium LLC Covenant Government Affairs, LLC: Auto-Mark, Inc. Dba Sea Foam Sales Company Covenant Government Affairs, LLC: Royal Engineering And Consulting, LLC. Cruce Capitol Consulting LLC: American Sugar Cane League Of The USa, Inc. Dga Group Government Relations LLC: Kyowa Kirin Inc, USa DLA Piper LLP (US): Biotechnology Innovation Organization Ervin Graves Strategy Group, LLC: Hereford Ethanol Partners, L.P. Hogan Lovells US LLP: Artanis Capital, LLC J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC): Aimpoint US J.A. Green And Company (Formerly LLC): American Center For Manufacturing & Innovation Federal General LLC Javelin Advisors LLC: Fred Daibes Lilette Advisors: Rf Catalytic Capital Lilette Advisors: Vale USa LLC Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Sentinelone Inc. Michael Best Strategies LLC: Charter Casting Michael Best Strategies LLC: Dairyland Power Cooperative Michael Best Strategies LLC: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (Kkr) Michael Best Strategies LLC: Maxar Intelligence Michael Best Strategies LLC: Tricolor Holdings Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough: United Opticians Association Park Strategies, LLC: Global Dairy Distributors LLC Steptoe LLP: Lake Charles Methanol Ii, LLC The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Momentum Solutions The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Sunation Energy The Mckeon Group, Inc.: Umo & National Association Of Ukrainian Defense Industries (Naudi) The Vogel Group: Allentown, Inc The Vogel Group: Auto Approve The Vogel Group: Canadian National Railway The Vogel Group: Contingency Capital The Vogel Group: Graftech International Ltd. The Vogel Group: William Tierney Venn Strategies: Ohio Coating Company New Lobbying Terminations Accelerate Strategies: Sports And Fitness Industry Association Cgcn Group, LLC: National Oilseed Processors Association Ess Tech, Inc.: Ess Tech, Inc. Forbes-Tate: Crestview Strategies Obo Teknion Forbes-Tate: Ginkgo Bioworks Forbes-Tate: Lykos Therapeutics Lot Sixteen LLC: North Star Manganese, Inc. Ms. Virginia Ainslie: American Geophysical Union
