ACS Rejects OMB Rule That Would Disrupt US Medical Research

The ACS submitted comments yesterday in response to the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule, “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.” The measure threatens to undermine and devalue the scientific expertise and ongoing research of surgeons.

As the ACS Brief previously reported, the OMB proposed rule includes provisions that would shift review of discretionary grants to political appointees, allow agencies the option to disregard peer-reviewed guidance, and make several other changes that threaten the world-class, independent scientific research apparatus that the US has built over decades.

The ACS notes the following in its comments:

The ACS also outlines how the proposed rule would harm surgical research by requiring adherence to the Administration’s policies and priorities, allowing OMB to terminate active awards without cause, restricting international collaboration, and implementing other measures that would disrupt long-term scientific progress and reduce the return on the federal investment in research. 

Consistent with its more than century-long mission, the ACS remains committed to protecting surgeons and their patients and will continue fighting against this proposed rule, which could prove deleterious to both.

While the window to submit public comments has ended, you can still act. Send a message to your Congressional representatives through SurgeonsVoice, urging them to protect federal research funding.