The Lupus Foundation of America is profoundly concerned by the reorganization and significant staff reductions taking place at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in addition to cuts that already have been made to the Lupus Research Program at the Department of Defense (DoD). These changes threaten to disrupt and delay vital lupus programs and negatively impact lupus research, drug development, and public health initiatives that improve the lives of the 1.5 million Americans living with lupus. 

The U.S. Federal Government only supports three programs dedicated to lupus, and all three have been affected by recent actions. The Continuing Resolution signed into law in March eliminated funding for the Lupus Research Program at the DoD, which has supported transformative research since 2005. Moreover, the reorganization of the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), threaten to eliminate two additional lupus programs that were established by Congress in the 2000s to solve the most significant barriers to the development of new lupus treatments and improved patient care. 

These CDC, DoD and OMH programs fill critical gaps in lupus research and care. They improve efficiency and facilitate partnerships to avoid duplication in research and strengthen lupus clinical trials. They raise public awareness of lupus, reduce the time it takes to diagnose the disease, and help Americans living with lupus take more control of their own health care. In short, these programs improve health outcomes, save money and save lives. 

Lupus is a debilitating chronic disease that can impact every American family. As the Administration and Congress prioritize the prevention of chronic conditions to make America healthy again, we urge them to work with us to preserve and strengthen these essential lupus programs, as well as the innovative lupus research that is driven by the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s single largest supporter of lupus research, and the vital work of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve safe and effective lupus treatments. 

The potential elimination of lupus programs across government would undermine the incredible progress and significant investment that has been made in lupus over the past three decades and which has been supported by bipartisan leaders in Congress and four U.S. Presidents, including President Trump. These programs are critical to improving the lives of all Americans living with lupus.