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As a family doctor who cares deeply about my community and my state, I’m writing to send up an alarm about the Office of Management and Budget proposed ruling ( OMB-2026-0034) that any grant from the federal government has to be approved by a political appointee who will determine if it complies with the dictates of the administration without regard to whether it helps our citizens or has been approved by expert consensus.
This means research into issues like breast cancer and women’s health could end, branded as DEI to this administration. Cancer treatment trials in progress may just be eliminated. And research done in blue or purple states may not get funded at all, regardless of scientific value.
But it’s not just healthcare, Meals on Wheels or bridge repairs could be targeted, broadband access programs could be stopped if someone doesn”t like your governor, or local nonprofits defunded. Millions of dollars in grants for a broad range of initiatives would be subject to the whim of partisans with no experience or knowledge of the need for the grant or its impact on the community. It ignores Congress’s intentions when funding those projects and local government’s knowledge of its own needs.
The OMB will hear objections to the ruling only until July 13. People can comment directly to the OMB on rulemaking or to their U.S. representatives and senators to urge them to get involved.
I think this rule is the very opposite of government “for the people.”
Constance Adler
Chesterville