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In this interview, ASBMB Today speaks with , executive director of the Coalition for Health Funding, or CHF, about their work, recent advocacy efforts and how ASBMB members can engage.

Eric Gascho

As a valued coalition partner, the 涩里番 works with CHF to highlight how federally funded scientific research improves health outcomes and to advocate for sustained, predictable funding across the biomedical research community. For Gascho, this work is personal. He lives with a disability and, like most people, has friends and family members who face significant health challenges. While progress has been made, he emphasizes that major challenges remain and cannot be addressed without strong, consistent investment in research.

The conversation has been edited for length, clarity and style.

What is the Coalition for Health Funding, and what is its mission in the science and research community?

Gascho: The Coalition for Health Funding is the largest and oldest coalition dedicated to strengthening federal investments in public health agencies. We take a broad view that includes all agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. Our goal is to ensure they have the resources needed to serve the American public.

How does CHF’s work intersect with ASBMB, and how can ASBMB members support your efforts?

Gascho: Our members make our work possible. ASBMB hears directly from scientists about challenges with research funding and then shares that information with groups like CHF. Because we’re several steps removed from those day-to-day experiences, it’s critical that we hear from organizations that are close to their communities.

That information helps us communicate with Congress and the administration. We also rely on examples of successful research and advocacy to make the case for sustained investment in the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

Why is collaboration among organizations so important right now?

Gascho: In my nearly 20 years in Washington, success has always been difficult and has only become more so. Very few nonprofits can succeed on their own. Bringing together organizations with shared priorities helps us pool resources, expertise and stories. Members of Congress hear from many constituents, so consistent messaging makes their work easier and improves the chances of success for individual groups and coalitions.

What recent initiatives or successes is CHF excited about?

Gascho: This year, we held several Hill Days where we brought members to meet with lawmakers and their staff about appropriations. After the shutdown and given the strong push to reduce spending, we entered the year expecting steep cuts. We still want to see improvements in the House and Senate bills, but overall, we’re in a better place than anticipated.

The Senate bill includes strong numbers for NIH and smaller cuts at other agencies than we expected. We hope it becomes the baseline for final negotiations.

We’ve also dealt with challenges from the administration, including funding freezes, staff reductions and canceled grants. We hope some of this reflects early-administration turbulence and that things stabilize, but are prepared to act if we see further actions. It remains important to show how these actions affect the public.

What motivates you to advocate for science, especially during challenging times?

Gascho: I’m motivated by the people who have benefited from new treatments and by those who still face unmet needs. The long-term impact on people’s lives keeps me going.
I also live with a disability and have family members with health challenges, which makes this work personal. When I see attacks on the research enterprise, I take them personally. We’ve made progress, but major challenges remain, and we can’t address them without sustained investment.

What advice do you have for scientists navigating today’s environment?

Gascho: Be present. ASBMB cannot do its work without hearing from its members, and lawmakers need to hear directly from their constituents. When I meet with Hill staff, they want to understand how policies affect people in their districts. Scientists bring expertise and personal stories that advocacy staff cannot replace. While this has always been true, it is even more so in this environment, with significant change happening at the agencies, making it difficult for Congress to keep up and understand the impacts.

Their involvement is essential. We need the entire community to keep showing up and speaking about the importance of investing in science.

For more ways to get involved, visit 涩里番 Science Serves Us All campaign.