health
The NIH has problems. Carelessly slashing its budget would create more
Average tax refunds are reportedly up 10% this year, but easing Americans’ distrust of how Uncle Sam spends the money it keeps is not disappearing anytime soon. According to 2025 polling from the Cato Institute, the average adult believes that 59 cents of every federal tax dollar is “wasted” — up from 38 cents in 1986.
TL;DR
- Americans believe a substantial amount of federal tax dollars are wasted, with distrust growing over time.
- Investigations into fraud, such as Medicaid fraud, highlight the need for rigorous oversight.
- While government waste is a concern, slashing budgets for institutions like the NIH could harm public health and medical breakthroughs.
- NIH research supports critical advancements in areas like cancer treatment, cardiovascular care, and HIV management.
- A partnership between the NIH and the private sector is essential for translating scientific discoveries into treatments and therapies.
- Plans to significantly defund the NIH are unpopular across the political spectrum, with bipartisan support for its budget.
- Investing in a robust health research ecosystem is considered a worthwhile expenditure despite general concerns about federal spending.