Arthritis Foundation Urges Congress to Protect Biomedical Research and Future Treatments 

July 14, 2026

The Arthritis Foundation joined 56 other patient advocacy organizations in urging congressional leaders to oppose a proposed federal regulation that could jeopardize biomedical research, weaken America's scientific leadership and make it harder to develop new treatments and cures for millions of people living with chronic diseases. 

The letter was sent to congressional leadership in response to a proposed rule from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) titled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance. The proposal would make sweeping changes to how federal grants are awarded, managed and terminated across dozens of federal agencies, including those that support medical and scientific research. 

For people living with arthritis and other chronic conditions, continued investment in biomedical research is essential. Research funded through federal agencies has contributed to many of the treatments available today and continues to drive discoveries that improve quality of life, reduce disability and bring hope for future cures. 

Among the most significant concerns are that the proposed rule could: 

• Disrupt lifesaving research and clinical trials. The proposal could allow federal research grants to be terminated with little opportunity for researchers or institutions to challenge those decisions. Because clinical research often requires years of planning, investment and patient participation, sudden grant terminations could interrupt important studies, delay scientific progress and leave patients enrolled in clinical trials without access to investigational treatments. 
• Undermine America's scientific leadership. Increased uncertainty surrounding federal research funding could make it more difficult to attract and retain leading scientists and researchers. As other countries continue investing heavily in biomedical innovation, a less stable research environment could slow the development of new treatments and cures in the United States. 
• Increase political influence over scientific research. The coalition expressed concern that the proposed rule could allow political considerations to play a greater role in research funding decisions, potentially undermining the independent scientific review processes that have long supported medical innovation and helped establish the United States as a global leader in biomedical research. 

The Arthritis Foundation believes that medical research should be guided by scientific expertise, patient needs and a commitment to improving health outcomes. Policies that create uncertainty around research funding risk slowing progress toward better treatments and, ultimately, cures for arthritis and other chronic diseases. 

For decades, federally supported biomedical research has led to groundbreaking advances that have transformed the lives of people living with arthritis. Continued investment in a stable, predictable and science-driven research system is essential to sustaining that progress. 

The proposed rule is scheduled to take effect on October 1 unless it is withdrawn or modified. The Arthritis Foundation will continue to partner with policymakers and coalition partners to work to protect the biomedical research enterprise and ensure that people living with arthritis have access to future innovations, treatments and cures.