Opinion: Trump administration’s paperwork surge hampers science and health care

The opinion piece argues that the Trump administration has expanded paperwork requirements, making it harder for scientists and Medicaid recipients to access services.

Citing a federal estimate that in 2023 more than 10.5 million hours were spent on paperwork, the authors note that this "time tax" costs billions in unclaimed benefits each year.

They contend that the situation has deteriorated under the current administration, despite claims of seeking efficiencies, and warn that the growing bureaucracy threatens public health and scientific progress.