Dear SAR Members and SAR Audience,
As many of you are aware, the current U.S. President’s proposed FY26 budget does not currently include funding for the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) which focuses on whole person health research.
NCCIH has been crucial in funding the pioneering work of mechanistic research and clinical trials that increased the evidence base of acupuncture and other integrative health practices. It also supported the career development of many young scientists who now become the leaders of acupuncture and integrative health research.
This is a critical moment for us to raise our voices in support of the essential role of NCCIH in advancing whole person health research and ensuring its continued presence in the federal research landscape.
We are writing to recommend two important actions you can take in the coming days:
- Contact Your Senator Today or Tomorrow Morning If They Serve on the HELP Committee
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the President’s proposed HHS budget on Wednesday, May 14 at 1:30 PM EDT, with testimony from Secretary Kennedy.
Please review this contact list of HELP Committee members. If you or your organization are based in one of these states, we strongly encourage you to reach out to your Senator’s office as a constituent to urge support for restoring NCCIH to the NIH budget.
You are welcome to personalize your message, but here is sample language you can adapt:
“I’m calling to express strong support for continued—and expanded—investment in integrative, whole person health research at the NIH, and to emphasize the vital role of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) in advancing this work. NCCIH-funded research has helped my organization better serve [our patients/students/communities], particularly in areas like pain management, resilience, well-being, and chronic disease prevention. Despite its modest budget of just $170 million, NCCIH plays an outsized role as the only NIH center dedicated to whole person health. Restoring and supporting whole person health research and NCCIH in the NIH budget demonstrates a clear national commitment to advancing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs.”
You can find details about the May 14 HELP Committee hearing here:
- Participate in Whole Person Health Research Social Media Advocacy Day – Tuesday, May 13
We’re designating TODAY, Tuesday, May 13 — the day before the hearing — as a Social Media Advocacy Day to highlight the importance of whole person health research and the critical role of NCCIH.
We encourage you and/or your organization to use your social media channels to share a positive story or concrete example of how NCCIH-funded research has supported your mission, your community, or the broader field. Uplifting, solutions-oriented messages can help policymakers see the real-world impact of this work.
Please use hashtags like #WholePersonHealthResearch to help amplify our collective voice.
Your leadership and perspective are vital — thank you for all you do to advance this essential field.
With appreciation,
Society for Acupuncture Research Team
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