The president’s FY 2027 budget request should be DOA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

Statement from APHA Chief Executive Officer Georges C. Benjamin, MD

Once again, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have proposed a budget that threatens all aspects of the public’s health and will not make Americans healthier. The president’s FY 2027 budget request, released on Friday, continues the trend of actions that harm the health of communities across the nation. The president’s proposal would eliminate or dramatically cut programs at CDC, HRSA and other HHS agencies that address chronic disease prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, strengthening the public health workforce, environmental health, injury prevention and public health preparedness and response. State, local and community-based organizations rely on this funding to implement programs to protect the public’s health across the nation. The budget proposal also slashes funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, cutting funds that are critical to protecting our air and water and protecting the public from exposure to toxic substances. This budget is a callous attack on the public’s health and must be rejected.  

Just a few short months ago, Congress worked in a bipartisan fashion to reject the administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal which contained many of the same misguided proposals. We look forward to working again with Congress on a serious FY 2027 federal budget that puts the health of Americans first and rejects the president’s misguided request. 

The American Public Health Association urges all members of Congress to reject this damaging budget proposal. It should be dead on arrival for all policymakers.  

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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.