In The Headlines: Trump moves to cap NIH indirect costs at 15%, HHS agencies webpages removed

In this episode of In the Headlines, Paul Goldberg, publisher ofThe Cancer Letter, and Jacquelyn Cobb, associate editor, discuss the “doomsday scenario” facing academic cancer centers that would follow the success of President Trump’s move to limit indirect costs to 15% for NIH-funded institutions. 

The topic of indirect costs has been “something you don't talk about in polite company,” Paul said, and while a drastic cut would gut academic research, oncology leaders say that conversation about indirect costs could help the field.

Also in this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at last week’s cover story about federal agencies purging websites to fall in line with President Trump’s executive orders banning any mentions of DEI, health equity, or “gender ideology.”

As part of the purge, FDA removed a series of oral histories, including one by the former FDA associate commissioner of women’s health, Marsha Henderson. 

“Getting rid of oral histories has a name. It's erasure,” Paul said. 

The Cancer History Project was able to preserve the oral history of Marsha Henderson. It can be read in last week’s issue. 

The stories mentioned in this podcast include:

• Federal judge blocks Trump administration’s move to limit indirect costs to 15% for NIH-funded institutions. The move could gut academic cancer research

• “Page Not Found:” HHS agencies purge web pages that hint at DEI, health equity, and gender

• Senate Finance Committee advances RFK Jr. to likely confirmation, with Bill Cassidy (R-LA) casting the deciding vote

• Guest column by W. Kimryn Rathmell: Communication—We need more, not less 

• LLS former CSO: Immunotherapy, precision medicine redefined blood cancer treatment

• Physicians and biopharma should improve accessibility of cancer trials
• Marsha Henderson: “You have to continue to push for what you think is the right thing for public health.” Preserving an oral history by the former FDA associate commissioner of women’s heath

A full transcript of this podcast is available.