Support builds for California Prop 38 as federal research cuts hit clinical trials

Patients, nurses, scientists and advocacy groups are backing California’s Proposition 38, a ballot measure that would direct $8.4 billion to immunology research as federal funding cuts threaten trials and new treatments. Supporters say the measure could speed therapies for cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and other diseases while creating a new statewide research network.

Why it matters: - Prop 38 would steer billions into medical research at a time when federal cuts are disrupting clinical trials and delaying discoveries. - Supporters say the measure could accelerate life-saving treatments for patients facing cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease and other serious diseases. - The proposal is being backed by a coalition of more than 60 patient advocacy, medical and research organizations.

What happened: - Patients, nurses, scientists and advocacy groups are urging California voters to support Proposition 38, the Immunology Medical Research & Cures Initiative. - The campaign says federal funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health and other medical research programs are threatening clinical trials and future treatments. - A coalition of more than 60 patient advocacy, medical and research organizations is backing the measure. - Supporters are framing Prop 38 as California’s chance to expand immunology research and speed development of new therapies. - More information is available at YESon38.com, including a full coalition list and supporter comments.

The details: - Prop 38 would provide $8.4 billion for immunology research aimed at preventing and treating cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease and other diseases. - Immunotherapies use the body’s immune system to help prevent and cure disease. - Immunotherapies are already being used to treat melanoma, lung cancer, leukemia and lymphoma. - The measure would fund research into Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and heart disease. - Prop 38 would also support work on diabetes, muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. - Half of the money would go to competitive grants for California universities and nonprofit research institutions. - The other half would go to a nonprofit immunology institute affiliated with the University of California. - The institute is intended to bring together scientists, technology, laboratories, patients and clinical trials. - Prop 38 includes a requirement that 10% of proceeds from licensing immunotherapies be returned to California to offset the measure’s total costs, including interest. - Any cure or immunotherapy developed would be sold to California patients at a 20% discount below the national average. - The measure caps state administrative expenses at 2%. - Prop 38 requires public disclosure of spending and independent financial audits. - For-profit corporations would not be eligible for grant funding.

Between the lines: - The campaign is tying the ballot measure to a broader national fight over research funding, not just a state-level science program. - Supporters are also pitching Prop 38 as a jobs-and-infrastructure move for California’s research ecosystem, not only as a medical funding stream. - The measure’s discount and payback provisions are meant to address cost concerns and strengthen the case that the program can sustain itself. - The urgency argument centers on a gap between scientific momentum in immunology and the uncertainty of federal support. - At least 160 active clinical trials nationwide were affected by the termination of National Institutes of Health grants in 2025. - California universities began curtailing biomedical research and delaying hiring as federal grants were terminated or withheld.

What’s next: - Supporters are pressing voters to approve Prop 38 on the California ballot. - If approved, the measure would create a new statewide funding stream for immunology research and a connected research institute. - Backers say the goal is to move promising discoveries into clinical use faster and expand access to breakthrough therapies.

The bottom line: - Prop 38 is being sold as a response to federal research cuts and a bet that California can speed the next generation of cures for major diseases.