Health Department could lose a third of its funding in Trump’s budget plan

President Trump's administration is weighing a plan to dramatically reduce funding to federal health and research programs.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services could see its budget cut by $40 billion, or roughly a third of its funding, according to a budget draft created by the White House. The Washington Post first reported about the plans, which have also been covered by The Associated Press, Politico, and other media groups.

The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention would both lose billions in the plan.

The spending plans come amidst the sweeping reorganization of the health department, which includes reducing the workforce by about 25%, merging some divisions and closing regional offices.

The budget plan is still a draft and could be revised, with a spokesperson for the Office of Management and Budget telling Politico that final spending decisions haven’t been made.

Even when the Trump administration formally introduces its budget, Congress must still give its final approval. The GOP-controlled Congress showed deference to the president in his cabinet choices, including the selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the nation’s health secretary. But lawmakers in Congress, including some Republicans, could push for more funding, especially if their districts see heavy cuts.

Undoubtedly, hospital and healthcare leaders, academic medical centers and universities are alarmed by the figures in the budget draft. The NIH and CDC spending figures would represent steep reductions in programs.

The NIH would see a 40% cut in its budget, dropping from $47 billion to $27 billion, according to the Post report. Several institutes within NIH would be eliminated. The NIH is the prime source of federal funds for medical research.

The CDC’s budget would drop from $9.2 billion to $5.2 billion, a drop of about 44%, per the Post report.

The new Administration for a Healthy America, a new division within the health department Kennedy touted previously, would get $20 billion.

The plan would also eliminate funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Politico reports. Some work at those agencies would continue under the revamped department.

Healthcare leaders have previously condemned the HHS layoffs and reorganization. While Kennedy has said the plan was to reduce bureaucrats and preserve scientists and researchers, critics say qualified leaders overseeing key health, science and prevention programs are being ousted.

Universities and hospitals have already balked at some NIH reductions in support for research. The NIH has said it’s limiting how much can be spent on administrative costs, saying the move would save $4 billion annually. Universities and medical schools protested and won an injunction temporarily blocking the new policy.

The Trump administration previously sought to back $11 billion in Covid-related funding given to state and local health departments. Public health officials say the money was designed to build up programs to track outbreaks and strengthen emergency response. Democratic attorneys general in 23 states filed a suit to stop the Trump administration from pulling back the money. A judge has blocked the move for the time being.

The Association of American Medical Colleges led universities and other academic institutions in legal efforts to oppose the Trump administration cutting NIH grants without explanation.