The ACR applauds Congress for providing $48.7billion in funding for the Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (H.R. 7148). The critical research funded by the National Institutes of Health NIH accelerates treatment breakthroughs, creates jobs and grows local economies in communities across the country, and fosters U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation.

The NIH supports research in all 50 states and the District of Columbia by more than 400,000 scientists at 2,400 research institutions, and for every $1 of NIH funding, more than $2 in local economic growth is generated. Rheumatic diseases, on the other hand, generate $140 billion in medical costs each year, with an estimated $164 billion in lost wages and productivity. This represents a combined amount of $304 billion (about $940 per person), greater than the total appropriated to NIH for all biomedical research.

Most importantly, biomedical research leads to breakthrough and often lifechanging treatments for rheumatic disease patients. Biologics and biosimilars-novel therapies developed with living cells-have revolutionized rheumatic disease intervention and treatment. Importantly, the basic and translational research that made these therapies possible can be traced back to NIH research.

Congress needs to hear from the rheumatology community about the importance of biomedical research finding. Sending a letter via the Legislative Action Center allows you to act in just a few clicks. Take moment to contact your lawmaker today!