In this guest column, UTMB’s Dr. Cary W. Cooper writes about the importance of medical research to U.S. health. “The NIH is the largest single funder of basic medical research in the U.S.; the research it supports provides the foundation of knowledge that drives innovation and improves health. But reaping the full benefits of medical discoveries can take many years, which is why a long-term, sustained investment in medical research is essential.”