San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer expressed enthusiasm on Wednesday about the bipartisan support for a resolution opposing a drastic proposed 40% budget cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Lawson-Remer’s proposal, which she initially presented on May 19.
The resolution articulates the county’s apprehension regarding recent actions taken by the federal government towards the NIH, highlighting potential detrimental impacts on the local biomedical sector.
It calls for increased federal funding for the NIH, emphasizing the need for sustainable investment in state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure to bolster San Diego’s reputation as a leader in biomedical innovation and advance the regional economy.
Supervisor Lawson-Remer noted several alarming statistics related to NIH funding changes, including a decrease of $2.3 billion in NIH grant-making compared to the previous year.
Moreover, approximately 800 NIH-screened grants have been canceled or frozen, affecting essential clinical trials at institutions like UC San Diego (UCSD).
UCSD has also forecasted a $150 million loss stemming from recent alterations to NIH reimbursement rules.
According to Lawson-Remer, a 15% cap on indirect reimbursement could potentially cost the San Diego County region over $448 million annually.
In addition to financial losses, the NIH has laid off 1,200 employees, which has resulted in a slowdown in the review cycles for research proposals.
These cuts pose a significant threat not only to UCSD but also to esteemed organizations such as Scripps Research and the Salk Institute, according to Lawson-Remer’s office.
The supervisor previously stated that these proposed reductions in NIH funding could result in over $500 million in lost economic activity, jeopardizing more than 3,000 jobs within San Diego’s prominent research and biotech ecosystem.
These actions are part of an initiative by the Trump administration aimed at increasing governmental efficiency; however, local leaders argue that such cuts will have catastrophic effects on the county’s $57 billion life sciences sector.
Between late February and early April, the federal government ended around 700 NIH grants, valued at approximately $1.81 billion, constituting about 3.3% of the agency’s annual budget, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prior to casting their votes, the supervisors listened to a presentation by Nikia Clarke from the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
In her presentation, Clarke addressed potential cuts in the federal budget, which are subject to U.S. Senate approval before becoming law.
She described 2025 as a period of uncertainty, particularly concerning the Trump administration and its impact on federal funding.
Clarke warned that such threats to university research could adversely affect the region’s talent pool in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
“In the next five to ten years, this innovation pipeline may lead to the most significant long-term implications,” she noted to the Board of Supervisors.
Lawson-Remer highlighted that her district includes key innovation hubs located in the Carmel Valley and Sorrento Valley neighborhoods.
“This situation is real and happening now.
It threatens our economy and could ultimately cost lives,” she remarked.
She shared the story of a doctor, Roman Szkopiec, who, after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, participated in a UCSD clinical trial and is now thriving seven years later.
During public comments, a university graduate voiced her concerns, stating that the ongoing cuts to scientific funding are leading to a loss of talent in America.
“These funding cuts are significantly affecting my career aspirations and contingency plans,” she shared, mentioning that many of her peers are considering opportunities in Canada or Europe for further education.
Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe expressed her support for the resolution, acknowledging the need for improvement in government systems.
However, she lamented the ongoing brain drain phenomenon, describing it as deeply troubling.
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