White House releases 2026 ‘skinny budget’ calling for $33B in cuts to HHS
President Donald Trump’s White House—through the Office of Management and Budget—released its proposed “skinny budget” for 2026, which includes massive cuts to federal health agencies.
The request would reduce the funds allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by over 25%, eliminating billions from the ledgers of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Overall, $33.3 billion would be cut from HHS if Trump’s proposal is enacted—a 26.6% reduction from what it received in 2025.
The proposal would also cut $240 million from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s Hospital Preparedness Program, and completely eliminate programs focused on minority health and health equity. Additionally, the National Institute of Nursing Research and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have been completely zeroed out.
Notably, however, the suggested budget does not include cuts to Medicare or Medicaid. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was also spared.
In summary, the “skinny budget” calls for reduced federal spending in the form of:
- An $18 billion reduction to the NIH budget.
- $3.6 billion in cuts to the CDC.
- $674 million less for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), excluding Medicare and Medicaid.
However, the newly formed Make America Healthy Again Commission—tasked by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with researching the causes of chronic illness, particularly those linked to nutrition and environmental health—is proposed to receive $500 million in funding. This new department was created through a Trump executive order issued in February.
The White House’s budget is not final and must be passed and approved by Congress.
The full proposal can be found here.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.