CHANGES IN HEALTH CARE

Big changes are shaking up healthcare in America. The trusted institutions that have safeguarded preventive health, like the CDC, FDA, and Medicare/Medicaid, are under fire. Leadership at HHS is likely shifting to someone with little administrative experience and minimal support from the medical community—a leader who has questioned vaccines and supported conspiracy theories. For communities of colour and undeserved populations, the outlook is even bleaker, as health equity programs crucial to their well-being face potential cuts, leaving providers scrambling with fewer resources.

Even those with private insurance aren’t safe. Costs are climbing, benefits are shrinking, and there’s no clear strategy to tackle
the outrageous price of medical care. The Affordable Care Act is constantly under attack with no clear replacement in sight, except for proposals that cut benefits for the most vulnerable among us. Meanwhile, transparency around the nation’s health is likely to diminish, and funding for critical NIH research could dry up, threatening to undo years of progress in health equity.

But that’s not all—America is withdrawing from crucial national and international health agreements, slashing funding for vulnerable nations. There’s a dangerous assumption that American health isn’t tied to global health—a lesson we should have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The struggle for health equity will not only become more difficult but may slide back to the era before they pandemic, triggered an interest in this issue

Boycotting this new leadership won’t fix anything—they’re here to stay for at least the next four years. So, what now? We have to find a way to open discussion with the current leadership. .Patients and providers will have to step up. Patients can start by building their own health stems and relying on information from trusted, transparent platforms Providers must double down on advocacy—because the health of our country depends on access to quality care for everyone. It’s a tough road ahead, but
resilience and action will be key to keeping the struggle for health equity alive.

Most consumers of health and many physicians do not understand, the significant changes in Health and Human Services impact the future of health care. Because, as my grandfather use to day, they are “as serious as a heart attack” and just as deadly. Lets look at the most important one, the changes at the National Institutes of Health

Research: The NIH has been one of Americas most outstanding institutions. On February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shook up the research world by announcing a 15% cap on indirect-cost rates (ICRs) for all new and existing grants. These rates, which fund the critical infrastructure and administrative support that keep research running smoothly, are now under tighter limits..While it’s important to review and optimise taxpayer-funded grants, a change this big could shake up the system that supports American leadership in medical research.. On February 10, 2025, a federal court issued an injunction halting the February 7 order, but the potential funding cut remains a serious concern for research institutions.

NIH funding has played a key role in major medical breakthroughs. From 2010 to 2019, NIH-supported research contributed to 99.4% of FDA-approved treatments (354 out of 356), including new cancer therapies, obesity treatments, and solutions for inherited disorders. For example, over 5,000 active clinical trials are currently exploring cell therapies, thanks to the high-risk, innovative research funded by the NIH. These advancements rely on the research infrastructure supported by NIH indirect funding, which is often overlooked by industry funding.

Every day that the new health leaders obstruct the smooth running of the NIH process, we are on step further away for more effective ways to diagnose and manage chronic disease like cancer, heart disease, kidney failure and diabetes. Anyone and everyone should be up in arms over these changes. Steps you can take

o effectively navigate NIH changes in healthcare, researchers and institutions should focus on staying informed about policy updates, adapting their grant applications and budgets, and proactively seeking guidance from NIH. This includes understanding new guidelines for sub awards, application reviews, and budgetary adjustments.

1. Stay Informed:

Check the NIH website regularly:

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NIH updates its policies and procedures frequently. The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts is a key resource for staying current.

Pay attention to Notices of Policy Changes:

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These notices can supersede information in the NIH Grants Policy Statement and are crucial for understanding the latest
requirements.

2. Adapt Grant Applications and Budgets:

Understand the new FORMS-I application system:

NIH is transitioning to new grant application forms (FORMS-I), which will require updates to how applications are submitted.

Adjust to the Simplified Grant Review Framework:

The review process for most research project grants, fellowships, and training grants will undergo changes, including a shift from five criteria to three factors.

Understand sub award policies:

NIH is implementing a new grant structure that will limit new sub awards to foreign institutions and may impact current sub awards.

Be aware of budgetary adjustments:

Recipients have some flexibility to re budget within and between budget categories, but significant changes require prior approval.

3. Seek Guidance and Support:

Consult with NIH Grants and Funding specialists: They can provide clarification on specific changes and help navigate the new
processes.

Attend relevant workshops and webinars: NIH often hosts training sessions on new policies and procedures. Reach out to your institutional research office: They can offer guidance on adapting to changes and navigating the revised
application process.

4. Specific Areas of Change:

Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending Support
Forms:

NIH plans to adopt common forms for these, but the implementation has been postponed.

Sub award Policies:

The shift away from sub awards to foreign institutions requires careful planning for collaborations.

Grant Application and Review Process:

Changes to the simplified review framework and FORMS-I require understanding of the new procedures.

Re-submission Applications:

Changes to re-submission applications require understanding of how to mark changes and submit revised applications.

OPINION