Congress must reject The President’s dangerous FY 2026 budget request

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Media Relations

Statement from APHA Executive Director Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, MD

President Trump and Secretary Kennedy say they want to make America healthy. Yet, their actions have not supported improving the public’s health. The President’s FY 2026 Discretionary Budget Request, released today, continues the trend of actions that harm the health of communities across the nation, proposing devastating cuts to federal public health agencies including CDC, HRSA, NIH, SAMHSA, EPA and others.

We look forward to working with Congress on a serious budget proposal that puts the health of Americans first, instead of another gut punch of cuts, reductions and nonsensical reorganizations and consolidations to the existing health systems and dedicated people working to make the country healthier.

The American Public Health Association urges all lawmakers to reject this budget proposal and develop something appropriate for the health and safety of all of us.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.