NIH director clarifies HHS communications freeze, confirms some essential functions can continue

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Acting Director Matthew Memoli sought to clarify the extent of the Trump administration's freeze on communications and other functions within the Health and Human Services Department, which has raised concern among agency officials and lawmakers.

Memoli's memo, sent Monday to leaders across the NIH's more than two dozen centers and institutions, said the freeze had been issued to "allow the new team to set up a process for review and prioritization," but noted that due to "confusion on the scope of the pause" he wanted to provide additional guidance.

"We write to express our grave concerns about actions that have taken place in recent days that potentially disrupt lifesaving research being conducted and supported by the National Institutes of Health," a trio of Democratic lawmakers from Maryland said in a Monday letter to HHS's Acting Secretary Dr. Dorothy Fink. "Without quick corrective action, the consequences of further disruption could be disastrous."

Routine travel planned for after Feb. 1 "does not need to be canceled at this time," Memoli added. Patients receiving treatment at NIH facilities can also continue to do so.

One subject area that was notably absent from Memoli's memo to federal health leaders was clarifications around grant review meetings. However, the acting director's memo concluded by indicating that further guidance is expected to be made available later this week.