ASPPH Statement on the President’s FY26 “Skinny” Budget

May 5, 2025

(Washington, DC)— The Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) “skinny” Budget Request poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of all Americans, as well as to the nation’s leadership in science and innovation. ASPPH expresses deep concern over the proposed funding reductions and structural changes, which risk undermining decades of progress in public health, biomedical research, and global health collaboration.

This budget proposal abandons our national commitment to science, health, and innovation. ASPPH calls on Congress to reject these proposed cuts and reaffirm its bipartisan support for robust investments in NIH, CDC, HRSA, AHRQ, USAID, and the whole ecosystem of federal health and research agencies. The stakes are too high. The lives, health, and prosperity of millions depend on it.

Unprecedented Cuts

The proposed $18 billion (nearly 40%) cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget and consolidation of institutes would be devastating to our nation and our schools and programs of public health programs. At a time when our nation and the world continue to face evolving health threats, including pandemics, chronic diseases, and the impacts of climate change on health, slashing the NIH’s resources will severely compromise our ability to conduct life-saving research, train the next generation of leaders, and respond to public health emergencies. Drastic structural upheaval, when paired with steep funding reductions and major cuts to the workforce, jeopardizes the continuity of research, endangers scientific careers, and will negatively impact the US economy.

The budget recommendation to eliminate the NIH Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) is misinformed.

These institutes and centers play vital roles in:

• Fostering global research collaborations critical to preparedness and health diplomacy
• Advancing health equity and addressing disparities that disproportionately impact communities of color; and
• Supporting integrative and preventive health approaches that reflect the needs and preferences of millions of Americans
  

These proposed eliminations send a chilling message about the value this administration places on inclusive, forward-thinking, and comprehensive approaches to public health. Equally alarming are the proposed cuts to other critical scientific and health agencies, which include:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): A $3.6 billion (39%) reduction in funding will decimate our public health infrastructure, leaving us vulnerable to outbreaks and weakening surveillance, prevention, and health promotion efforts.
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): A $74 million cut to HRSA’s education and training programs under Ryan White and a $1 billion cut to Health Workforce Programs, through the proposed consolidation of programs that were formerly part of HRSA.
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): A $129 million (35%) cut and elimination of the extramural grant program undercuts efforts to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of our healthcare system. Remaining ARHQ functions are moved into a new office at HHS as AHRQ is eliminated at a separate agency.
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): A $8 billion cut from essential programs that fund global public health, pandemic preparedness, and health equity. Eliminating support for vital research and training programs strips vital protections from the world’s most vulnerable populations and weakens the global health partnerships on which our country’s national security and prosperity depend.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

Schools and Programs of Public Health Unite to Inspire the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders

April 7, 2025

At a time when the world faces complex health challenges, public health education remains essential. In response, the nation’s schools and programs of public health have come together to launch Public Health, Now More Than Ever—a nationwide initiative to encourage students to pursue degrees in public health and reinforce the critical role of the field in shaping a healthier, more resilient future.

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ASPPH Statement on the Department of Health and Human Services Restructuring Plan

March 28, 2025 

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is deeply concerned by the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recently announced restructuring plan, which includes reducing the workforce by 25% and consolidating key agencies.