Why We Still Need Evidence-Based Healthcare—Now More Than Ever
Behind every safe surgery, every major medical breakthrough, and every decrease in hospital mortality rates is a story of rigorous, evidence-based research. The agencies that fuel this progress—NIH, AHRQ, CDC, and others—are the unsung heroes of modern healthcare. And yet, they’re being dismantled. At a time when Americans face rising rates of chronic illness, maternal mortality, and healthcare costs, defunding these critical institutions isn’t just short-sighted, it’s dangerous.
Best Practices. Evidence-Based Healthcare. Who Needs It? We do.
Didn’t get an MRSA infection after your last surgery? You can thank the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This is a leading public health agency responsible for safety protocols in hospitals nationwide. AHRQ's work on sepsis reduction, hospital readmission prevention, and surgical safety has saved countless lives. And now? It’s on the chopping block, along with dozens of other vital institutions, thanks to sweeping cuts from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Let’s talk specifics:
AHRQ is being defunded, despite being the backbone of research into hospital best practices, patient safety, and provider support systems.
NIH, which funded the now-canceled Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS), is losing $1.5 billion. This study revealed connections between type 2 diabetes and cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s, and helped identify preventive strategies that could have saved lives and billions in long-term healthcare costs.
The CDC, the agency responsible for tracking global and domestic outbreaks like Ebola, HIV, and COVID-19, has suffered a 10% workforce reduction, just as public trust in science needs rebuilding.
The Department of Health and Human Services has seen targeted cuts to four maternal and family health programs, in a nation already grappling with alarming maternal and infant mortality rates.
The Department of Veterans Affairs—which serves over 9 million veterans—is being gutted, with a proposed 22% budget reduction and 80,000 jobs slashed by August 2025.
These cuts aren’t just statistics. They represent real patients who won’t get the care they need. They mean slowed research, outdated practices, and frontline providers without the tools to make informed decisions. Most importantly, they erode the very foundation of science-driven healthcare.
Protecting patients means protecting science.
In the end, we all benefit from best practices. We could be undergoing surgery, managing a chronic illness, or simply trying to stay healthy. Defunding these programs means turning our backs on decades of progress and putting lives at risk. Evidence-based care is not a luxury. If we want a future where healthcare is effective, equitable, and responsive, we must protect the institutions that make it possible.
You became a nurse to make a difference. So did we.
At Bluebird Local Nursing, we believe in equipping healthcare professionals with the resources, respect, and evidence-based standards they need to provide exceptional care. If you’re a nurse who values autonomy, safety, and working for an agency that advocates for both patients and providers, we’d love to connect. Let’s build a future where your voice matters and your expertise is honored.
