WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 1, 2023 - As the leader and Interim CEO of NAVREF, I am deeply troubled by the recent passage of the Limit, Save, Grow Act and its impacts on the Veterans Affairs (VA) research program. The VA research program is a critical component of our nation's efforts to improve the health and well-being of our veterans, and any cuts to its funding will have serious and lasting consequences.

The VA research program is responsible for developing innovative treatments and cures for a wide range of health conditions affecting our veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other service-related injuries and illnesses. This program has helped to improve the lives of countless veterans and their families and has contributed to significant advancements in medical research.

However, the Limit, Save, Grow Act threatens to severely curtail the funding for the VA research program, which could have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of our veterans. Without sufficient funding, the VA research program will be forced to scale back its operations, reducing its capacity to conduct important research and develop new treatments and cures. Furthermore, this reduction will hinder the ability of the congressionally authorized VA-Affiliated Nonprofit Corporations (NPCs) to maximize research funding and attract industry partners eager to collaborate with VA. At risk are over 2400 research projects, the NPCs’ ability to contribute $313 million to VA research, and over 9 million veterans from receiving the finest cutting-edge care possible.

This is unacceptable. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we owe it to them to provide the best possible care and support. Cutting funding for the VA research program would be a betrayal of our veterans and would undermine our national commitment to their health and well-being.

CALL TO ACTION: As the leader of the only national network with the sole mission to maximize VA research funding, I call on all NAVREF members and stakeholders to push this message to their Senate members that they must reconsider the Limit, Save, Grow Act and to prioritize the health and well-being of our veterans. We cannot afford to shortchange veterans’ care or sacrifice their futures. We must invest in their health and well-being and support the VA research program to ensure that our veterans receive the care and support they deserve.