Draft Budget Plan Proposes Deep Cuts Across Federal Health Programs
Introduction to the Proposal
Federal officials are circulating a draft budget proposal that would make dramatic additional cuts to federal health programs and serve as a roadmap for more mass firings. Though it’s preliminary, the document gives an indication of the Trump administration’s priorities as it prepares its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal to Congress. The document indicates plans to deepen job and funding reductions across much of the federal government.
Impact on Key Agencies
Food and Drug Administration
The budget of the Food and Drug Administration would be cut by nearly half a billion dollars, to $6.5 billion, in part by eliminating some longtime agency responsibilities and shifting them to states.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s core budget would be slashed from more than $9 billion to about $5 billion, with a number of programs eliminated and some transferred into a proposed new agency to be called the Administration for a Healthy America.
Circulation and Response
The proposal was first reported by The Washington Post. The Associated Press saw a copy of the 64-page document, dated April 10, which has been circulating among some health officials. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment Thursday.
Funding and Support
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Original Publication Details
Originally Published: April 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM EDT
Conclusion
The proposed budget cuts across federal health programs signal a significant shift in the Trump administration’s priorities, potentially affecting the operations of key agencies like the FDA and CDC. These changes could have far-reaching implications for public health initiatives and the roles of these agencies in ensuring the nation’s health and safety.
FAQs
Q: What is the proposed budget cut for the Food and Drug Administration?
A: The proposed budget cut for the FDA is nearly half a billion dollars! to $6.5 billion.
Q: How will the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be affected?
A: The CDC’s core budget would be slashed from more than $9 billion to about $5 billion, with some programs eliminated and others transferred to a new agency.
Q: What is the source of the proposal?
A: The proposal was first reported by The Washington Post, and The Associated Press has seen a copy of the document dated April 10.
Q: Is the proposal final?
A: No, the proposal is preliminary and part of the Trump administration’s preparation for its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal to Congress.
By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal officials are circulating a draft budget proposal that would make dramatic additional cuts to federal health programs and serve as a roadmap for more mass firings.
Though it’s preliminary, the document gives an indication of the Trump administration’s priorities as it prepares its 2026 fiscal year budget proposal to Congress. The document indicates plans to deepen job and funding reductions across much of the federal government.
The budget of the Food and Drug Administration would be cut by nearly half a billion dollars, to $6.5 billion, in part by eliminating some longtime agency responsibilities and shifting them to states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s core budget would be slashed from more than $9 billion to about $5 billion, with a number of programs eliminated and some transferred into a proposed new agency to be called the Administration for a Healthy America.
The proposal was first reported by The Washington Post. The Associated Press saw a copy of the 64-page document, dated April 10, which has been circulating among some health officials.
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment Thursday.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
<p>Originally Published: April 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM EDT</p>
