From Roald Henderson

Albany

To the Editor:

Cutting funding for research at NIH and NSF for ‘indirect’ impacts the future health of all Americans. ‘Indirect’ is not waste, illegal, or unnecessary spending. It is a label for the expenses in a grant that enable and support the research. For example, it may be equipment used in the research. Just like farmers need equipment to raise crops and animals, researchers need equipment to do research. Limit a farmer’s equipment and you limit productivity. Same is true in research projects. Equipment and the funds to pay for it are critical to both. These costs are not waste. That is a lie.

NIH and NSF were created and funded by Congress. Changes require Congressional approval. These institutions support research that saves lives and create jobs.