UW CHWS Director Bianca Frogner published an opinion piece in The Seattle Times, discussing how cutting research funding could deeply impact academic medical centers (AMCs) in Washington, with ripple effects on the state’s economy and health care system.
She emphasizes that it’s not just professors at risk—AMCs employ millions, including educators, physicians, nurses, and researchers, as well as staff who are essential to operating these institutions, such as ambulance drivers, janitorial staff, and food service workers. “With NIH funding cuts, not only will innovations and health care services stall, but the local economy will also suffer as people lose their jobs. Many local businesses have relationships with AMCs, whether it be feeding local workers or contracting laundry services,” said Frogner.
“Slashing NIH and other federal funds will reverberate throughout not only the health and well-being of local communities, but across the local economy that will last for years and will be difficult to reverse once set in motion.” Read more here.