health
Sabotage: Experts, lawmakers blast RFK Jr. for destroying healthcare research
US healthcare is broken. Under RFK Jr., the research agency working to fix it is, too.
TL;DR
- The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is facing significant threats to its survival.
- Staff has been cut by an estimated 75 percent, and numerous research grants totaling over $250 million have been canceled.
- Millions of dollars appropriated by Congress for fiscal year 2026 remain unspent.
- Scientists across more than 30 states have halted research, leading to layoffs and program shutdowns.
- Democratic senators have accused the Health Secretary of "sabotage" and "outrageous abuse of administrative power" regarding AHRQ's situation.
- Specific canceled research programs included areas like maternal medical emergencies, home dialysis, patient fall reduction, antibiotic overuse, autism screening, and chronic pain management.
- Senators have demanded that grant cancellations be rescinded and that appropriated funds be invested in health research as intended by Congress.