Bloomberg Businessweek — "Massachusetts Making Push to Offset Trump’s Research Cuts"
Date: November 15, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar & Tim Stenovec
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital
Notable Guests: Greg Ryan (Bloomberg), Dr. Joan LaRovere, Dr. Alyssa Baird, Dr. Ellen Grant, Dr. Martha Murray (Boston Children’s Hospital medical staff)
Episode Overview
This episode centers on Massachusetts’ ambitious proposal to counteract federal research funding cuts—especially in the life sciences—under the Trump administration. Broadcasting from Boston Children’s Hospital, the hosts profile the local, national, and economic impacts of these funding shifts. Meanwhile, they feature in-depth conversations with leading clinicians and researchers on innovation in pediatric medicine, advances in AI and neuroscience, challenges in pediatric oncology, and groundbreaking orthopedic surgery.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Massachusetts' Push to Offset Federal Research Cuts
[02:01–09:48]
Context & Current Status
- Governor Maura Healy’s Proposal: $400 million in state funds to offset federal cuts, split equally between public and private research institutions (e.g., Harvard, MIT, Boston Children’s).
- Legislative Limbo: Lawmakers on Beacon Hill have yet to approve the funding, citing competing state priorities.
- Greg Ryan: “It’s still in limbo… Lawmakers are skeptical. They say the state has a lot of need right now.” (03:22)
- Signaling Effect: The proposal aims not only to backfill funding but to communicate Massachusetts’ commitment to science and innovation.
- “It sends a signal to scientists to, you know, stay here and do their research here.” — Greg Ryan (04:01)
- Scope: The funding would only partly patch lost NIH and federal dollars but is critical for maintaining Massachusetts’ leadership in biotech.
- “It wouldn’t really even come close.” — Greg Ryan (04:01)
Broader Impacts
- Economic Ripple Effect: Research funding supports local economies, jobs, and the resilience of Boston’s “eds and meds” sector.
- Brain Drain Threat: Executives warn that instability makes U.S. scientists vulnerable to recruitment from China and Europe.
- “Countries like China… they’re actively recruiting researchers.” — Greg Ryan (06:04)
- Public-Private Partnerships: Healy’s plan includes leveraging philanthropic/private dollars along with state funds.
Next Steps
- Awaiting Legislative Decision: The coming months will determine if the state legislature acts on the proposal after initial hearings.
- “The next few months will be key… lawmaker will decide whether this will pass.” — Greg Ryan (07:02)
2. Massachusetts’ Millionaires Tax — Funding and Migration
[07:18–09:02]
- The ‘Millionaires Tax’: 4% surtax on income over $1 million (in effect since 2023).
- Revenue Impact: Has brought in $5.7 billion in two years, surpassing estimates by $3 billion. Funds have been used for free school meals, public transit, closing budget gaps.
- Migration Fears (Unproven): Despite warnings, data is inconclusive about out-migration of the wealthy.
- “It didn’t make people flee the state.” — Tim Stenovec (07:31)
- “People might still have kids in high school and they’re going to wait till their kids are out of school to move.” — Greg Ryan (08:46)
3. Economic Sentiment in Boston
[09:02–09:48]
- Mood: Slight pessimism amid strong institutional fundamentals.
- “People are a little pessimistic… The state was dead last in job growth for private job growth over the past year.” — Greg Ryan (09:24)
On the Ground: Inside Boston Children’s Hospital
4. Environment & Mission
[12:16–14:43]
- World Leading Research & Care: Boston Children’s is the largest pediatric research enterprise and leading pediatric NIH funding recipient.
The Role of Dedicated Spaces
- Hale Roof Garden: A healing space for families and staff, reflecting a holistic approach to pediatric care.
- “We need spaces like this for families to be able to step away and really, you know, think and decompress.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (13:51)
5. Linking Clinical Care and Scientific Research
[15:28–17:02]
- Integrated Approach: Innovation and research are “in the DNA” of Boston Children’s, drawing staff who are passionate about changing outcomes.
AI & Big Data in Pediatric Medicine
[17:02–19:01]
- History of AI Use: Hospital teams have worked with leading AI companies and developed dedicated AI tools (e.g., BostonGPT for secure, internal AI use).
- “AI has been a very important part of Boston Children’s Hospital for a long time.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (17:33)
- Potential: Unlocking insights into rare and genetic diseases, predictive modeling, and personalized medicine.
Children’s Health Decisions & Lifelong Impact
- Early Interventions: Decisions made in infancy—such as cardiac surgeries—shape long-term health.
- “Decisions that we are making early in life have long term impact.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (19:36)
6. Challenges & Aspirations in R&D
[20:42–21:27]
- Support & Partnerships: Continued philanthropic and institutional engagement is vital to future breakthroughs.
- “We have a great team, but we’re always needing, you know, support and engagement.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (21:05)
7. Pediatric Neuro-oncology: Brain Tumors in Kids
Guest: Dr. Alyssa Baird
[22:12–28:43]
- Scope: Treats brain tumors from infancy through young adulthood.
- Unique Challenges: Pediatric brain cancers differ from adult cancers. Developmental implications drive the need for tailored therapies and long-term, multidisciplinary support.
- “Historically… we have had to extrapolate data and treatments from the adult world, and it just doesn’t work.” — Dr. Alyssa Baird (24:27)
- Funding Gaps: Heavy reliance on philanthropy due to lower government and industry funding.
- “We definitely rely on philanthropy hugely to make advancements in the field.” — Dr. Alyssa Baird (25:05)
- Advances: Genetics and molecular research are transforming individualized diagnosis and treatments.
- Future Screening: Moving closer to genetic screening for predispositions in certain pediatric brain tumors.
- “I think we may get to that point where screening is better for all tumors, but we’re very close for certain types.” — Dr. Alyssa Baird (27:08)
- Family-Centered Care: Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for the best outcomes.
8. Next-Generation Brain Imaging & Neuroscience
Guest: Dr. Ellen Grant
[31:35–42:23]
- Imaging for Early Detection: Research focuses on fetal and neonatal brain imaging. The earlier development can be characterized, the earlier interventions can begin.
- “Everything begins in utero… So the more we can understand the early development, the more we to understand how we make sure children are on the right trajectory.” — Dr. Ellen Grant (32:27)
- Customized Tools: Industry often ignores pediatric hardware needs, so Boston Children’s builds its own devices and develops new analytic techniques.
- “Industry’s not interested in fetuses, infants, and young children… We have to develop the devices to fit the size of the infant.” — Dr. Ellen Grant (34:26)
- Startup Culture: Integration of business thinking is required for translating research tools to clinical use.
- “If we stay in the research realm, then it’s sometimes really hard to go that last mile and get something into clinical practice.” — Dr. Ellen Grant (35:51)
- AI for Personalized Care: Machine learning enables individualized predictions; chatbots being designed for parent information and support—with safeguards to avoid “AI hallucinations.”
- “We can start to build models that predict not just group outcomes, but we want to get to individual outcomes because that’s what parents care about.” — Dr. Ellen Grant (36:09)
9. Orthopedics Innovation: Rethinking the ACL
Guest: Dr. Martha Murray
[43:10–54:03]
- ACL Injuries in Youth: Data suggests girls and boys may face similar risks when exposure is equal—challenging previous assumptions.
- “When they corrected for unit of exposure… the injury rates look very similar.” — Dr. Martha Murray (44:45)
- Material Science Meets Surgery: Murray’s unique background led to the development of the BEAR method (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair)—the first new ACL repair technique in 50 years.
- “I spent… in the medical school library just reading everything I could about why didn’t the ACL heal.” (45:31)
- How BEAR Works: Uses a sponge scaffold plus sutures and blood to rejoin torn ACL ends, facilitating healing rather than replacement.
- FDA Process: Partnership-oriented, thorough, and ultimately enabling patient safety and efficacy.
- “It felt like it was a team effort… the FDA was an amazing partner.” — Dr. Martha Murray (49:17)
- Preventive Advice: Strength training, cross-training, and managing overuse are key practices for young athletes.
- “So some things we can do to help them is help them work on strengthening… and cross training.” — Dr. Martha Murray (51:26)
- Anticipating the Future: Development underway for an injectable, office-based solution for rotator cuff injuries.
Notable Quotes
- “This sends a signal… Massachusetts backs these efforts. It sends a signal to scientists to, you know, stay here and do their research here.” — Greg Ryan (04:01)
- “We need spaces like this for families to be able to step away and really… decompress.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (13:51)
- “AI has been a very important part of Boston Children’s Hospital for a long time.” — Dr. Joan LaRovere (17:33)
- “Historically… we have had to extrapolate data and treatments from the adult world, and it just doesn’t work.” — Dr. Alyssa Baird (24:27)
- “If we stay in the research realm, then it’s sometimes really hard to go that last mile and get something into clinical practice.” — Dr. Ellen Grant (35:51)
- “When they corrected for unit of exposure… the injury rates look very similar.” — Dr. Martha Murray (44:45)
- “I really want to figure out this ACL thing.” — Dr. Martha Murray (45:31)
Highlighted Timestamps for Major Segments
- Massachusetts research funding proposal context: [02:01–07:02]
- Millionaires tax and economic impacts: [07:18–09:02]
- Boston Children’s overview & healing spaces: [12:16–14:43]
- Innovation in AI and research integration: [17:02–19:01]
- Pediatric oncology and brain tumors: [22:12–28:43]
- Fetal/neonatal imaging and AI for pediatrics: [31:35–42:23]
- Orthopedic innovation and BEAR procedure: [43:10–54:03]
Tone & Style
The episode is marked by urgency and optimism—hosts and guests candidly discuss funding challenges, scientific ambition, and the daily realities facing top-tier medical practitioners. The tone is informed, collaborative, and driven by a shared sense of purpose, with technical explanations delivered in accessible, human-focused language.
For Listeners New to the Episode:
This podcast episode deftly weaves immediate policy questions—can Massachusetts sustain its place as a science powerhouse?—with inspiring conversations about how innovation in medicine is happening on the ground, often at the intersection of public policy, philanthropy, business, and relentless medical curiosity.