Trump Administration Proposes $40 Billion Cut to US Health Budget

AFP | Washinton
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Trump administration is preparing to slash $40 billion from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in its preliminary 2026 budget plan, according to a report by The Washington Post. The proposed reduction amounts to nearly one-third of the department’s current discretionary spending and signals a sweeping restructuring of federal health programs.

The budget draft, which still requires congressional approval, is part of President Donald Trump’s broader agenda to significantly downsize government operations. The plan is being shaped in collaboration with Trump's top advisor, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

In 2024, Congress approved $121 billion in discretionary funding for the HHS. The proposed cuts would dramatically reduce this figure, although the department's overall budget—bolstered by mandatory spending on Medicare and Medicaid—remains at approximately $1.8 trillion.

Key Areas Impacted

The draft plan reportedly includes major restructuring efforts first announced in March. These involve a 25% reduction in HHS staff, with layoffs already impacting prominent agencies such as:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Notably, several NIH branches would be merged, and numerous public health initiatives are expected to face the axe. Programs targeted for elimination include:

• Chronic disease prevention efforts

• Healthcare access projects in rural communities

• Early childhood education initiatives for low-income families

A Government in Transition

The administration's rationale, sources say, is to "streamline" operations and reduce dependency on federal health programs. Critics, however, argue that the cuts could have long-term consequences for public health, medical research, and underserved communities.

Health experts have voiced concern about the potential fallout, especially amid global health risks and a rising need for robust disease monitoring and healthcare accessibility.

Congress is expected to scrutinize the proposal heavily in the coming months, with opposition already forming among lawmakers from both parties who warn that the cuts could be "devastating" for millions of Americans.