A federal judge in Massachusetts extended a temporary block of the Trump administration’s cuts in medical research funding that scientists argue will endanger patients and delay discoveries. The judge’s ruling was in response to lawsuits filed by 22 states and organizations representing universities, hospitals, and research institutions nationwide. The proposed cuts to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies led to protests, including a rally in Boston where federal workers and researchers gathered against the cuts. Boston mayor Michelle Wu and other mayors across the country filed briefs in support of pushing back against the funding cuts. The NIH’s new policy would drastically reduce funding for indirect expenses related to studies on various illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and cancer. The Trump administration argued for the discretion of the executive branch in allocating funds, while opponents claimed the cuts were illegal and would lead to layoffs and hinder scientific progress. The ongoing legal battle highlights the tensions between the federal government’s budget decisions and the importance of medical research for public health and economic growth. If implemented, the cuts could have significant consequences on ongoing research projects and the healthcare industry, prompting concerns from researchers, universities, and hospitals about the potential impact on patients and research programs.
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