The recent decision by Congress to eliminate funding for the Multiple Sclerosis Research Program (MSRP) in the FY 2025 budget is a devastating setback for those of us living with MS. The program, which operates through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs at the Department of Defense, has been a vital source of progress and hope.
More than a million Americans are living with MS today, including thousands in Utah. I’m one of them. MS is a chronic, unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system, and, while treatments have improved over the years, there is still no cure. The MSRP supports innovative research specifically focused on MS, including its impact on veterans — a population in which MS occurs at higher rates.
Roughly 70,000 veterans battle this disease every day. Many are diagnosed during or shortly after military service, often forcing them into early retirement and weakening military readiness. The MSRP is uniquely positioned to fund research that benefits both the general public and the military community.
Cutting this program stalls the momentum of promising studies and delays breakthroughs that could change lives. Congress has a chance to reverse course in the FY 2026 budget by allocating $22 million to restart and reinvest in this vital work.
This funding isn’t just a line item. It’s a lifeline — for people like me, and for the veterans who deserve far better.
Angie Anderson, North Ogden
