By Dr. Lyndon Haviland

July 12, 2026

TheHill.com

Today’s life expectancy is due in no small measure to sustained U.S. governmental support for critical vaccine research and humanitarian aid. These efforts have halted the spread of serious disease and saved millions of lives here at home and around the world.  

For decades, the U.S. government provided critical federal funding to the medical and public health community. This commitment is now waning, putting the health of the American people at risk and jeopardizing our ability to pioneer future medical breakthroughs.