Endocrine Society's Advocacy Progress in March 2026

The Endocrine Society achieved significant advocacy successes in March 2026, highlighted by Congress passing a funding bill that increased financial support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for fiscal year 2026. Specifically, the bill incorporated an increase of approximately $415 million for the NIH, which included a $10 million enhancement specifically for diabetes research. The advocacy efforts of the Endocrine Society focused not only on securing this funding increase but also on implementing protective measures for the NIH. These measures included restrictions on a budget strategy known as multi-year funding, regulations against arbitrary caps on indirect cost rates, mandates for grants to be distributed within five business days, and restoration of congressional authority over the budget process.

This victory is particularly notable in the context of previous proposals that would have resulted in devastating cuts to NIH funding, including a 40% reduction and the cancellation of thousands of research grants, which posed threats to vital endocrine research initiatives. The Endocrine Society was one of the most vocal proponents for safeguarding NIH funding, employing a combination of online campaigns, Hill Days, direct congressional office visits, and organizational briefings to influence outcomes. In collaboration with various professional medical societies and patient advocacy groups, the Endocrine Society underscored unified messaging to support these funding efforts. One of their significant actions involved a letter to congressional leadership co-signed by over 140 organizations, amplifying the impact of their advocacy.

Looking ahead, attention is turning swiftly towards the budget cycle for fiscal year 2027, with President Trump expected to present his budget in mid-March. Preliminary indications suggest that the upcoming budget may once again propose research funding cuts. The Endocrine Society remains committed to advocating for consistent, sustainable increases in NIH funding. To further these efforts, a virtual Hill Day for members is scheduled for March 13 to maintain a strong focus on the importance of NIH support. For those members unable to participate, opportunities will be available to express their support by sending letters to Congress through organized campaigns.

In another key advocacy victory, Congress recently passed and the president signed legislation reauthorizing the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) while extending Medicare telehealth waivers. This legislation, part of a broader appropriations bill that funds various agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, allocated $200 million annually for each component of the SDP, representing a $40 million increase for both segments of the program. The Endocrine Society played an instrumental role in this successful advocacy, closely collaborating with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), as well as Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), co-chairs of congressional diabetes caucuses.

Notably, endocrinologists utilize telehealth services more than any other Medicare specialty, and the Endocrine Society has been actively urging Congress to enhance these essential telehealth flexibilities. The SDP contributes to type 1 diabetes research by the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in addition to supporting prevention, education, and treatment initiatives for indigenous populations through the Indian Health Service. Senator Collins celebrated the increase in SDP funding, highlighting contributions from the Endocrine Society’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert W. Lash.

Moreover, the two-year extension of Medicare telehealth waivers is crucial, ensuring that beneficiaries can access care from their providers remotely. Members of the Endocrine Society who engaged in these advocacy activities are recognized for their role in substantiating these successes.

As part of ongoing discussions regarding the modernization of the NIH, multiple proposals emerged over recent years, particularly during 2025, involving restructuring and funding reduction plans, including a proposal to shrink the number of NIH Institutes and Centers from 28 to 9. Policymakers continue to evaluate the NIH's future operations, with a recent Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing focusing on these modernization efforts. During this hearing, Jayanta Bhattacharya, the NIH director, addressed inquiries about pressing issues ranging from drug pricing to the implications of canceled clinical trials and research delays impacting patients and scientific progress.

Several committee members have expressed concern regarding these canceled grants, particularly about how they may hinder research advances and the prospects of the biomedical workforce. Senator Collins remarked on the adverse effects that cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have had on women's health research and health disparities, while Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) raised questions about the timing of expiring Advisory Council appointments crucial for grant approval processes. Throughout the hearing, Bhattacharya reiterated a commitment to restoring trust in scientific research and emphasized the need to preserve early-career researchers within the NIH framework.

In a related initiative, the Endocrine Society organized an educational briefing in collaboration with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) titled “GLP-1s: A Game Changer for the Treatment of Liver Disease” held on January 22. During this session, former Endocrine Society President Dale Abel, MD, PhD, shared insights on how GLP-1 medications function and their implications for obesity-related diseases, including liver disease. After the briefing, Abel conducted visits with congressional leaders to advocate for policies concerning obesity, furthering the Society’s role as a knowledgeable authority in this field.