Critical health and science research is on the chopping block as Trump actions trigger shutdowns and confusion

Critical health and science research is indeed facing significant threats due to Trump's actions, which have triggered shutdowns and confusion across various sectors. One of the most concerning impacts is the potential elimination of funding for the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, which supports groundbreaking children's health research ¹.

The Trump administration's budget proposal, released in May 2017, aimed to completely eliminate funding for the STAR program, citing "redundancies and inefficiencies". This move has been met with widespread criticism from the scientific community, which argues that the program is essential for advancing our understanding of children's health and developing effective treatments.

Furthermore, Trump's actions have also led to concerns about the future of Medicaid expansion, which has provided health coverage to millions of low-income Americans. Nine states have trigger laws that would automatically end their Medicaid expansions if federal funding falls below a certain threshold, putting the health coverage of over 3 million people at risk. 

The impact of Trump's actions on critical health and science research extends beyond these specific programs. His administration's war on science has been well-documented, with numerous attempts to restrict or prohibit scientific research, education, or discussion. This has created a climate of uncertainty and confusion, making it challenging for researchers to secure funding and conduct their work effectively.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/10/climate/trump-threatens-health-science-research/index.html