HHS Budget Hearings Chart New Direction for Public Health

June 16, 2025 | Catherine Jones

In May 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees as well as the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to discuss the Trump Administration's proposed FY26 HHS budget. On May 2, President Trump released his “Skinny Budget,” which formed the basis of much of the questioning Sec. Kennedy received from members of both parties.

These hearings illuminated a sweeping reorganization of HHS and other federal agencies, signaling a dramatic shift in public health priorities and funding. Seven key themes emerged from the testimony, highlighting how these priorities are being advanced through the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative and the newly proposed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). The President’s Budget Appendix, released in late May, reaffirms these policy and funding proposals.

Reorganizing HHS and CDC

The blueprint for HHS calls for consolidating various agencies under the new AHA, including HRSA, SAMHSA, and parts of CDC. In the hearings, Republicans broadly supported MAHA and AHA initiatives, mentioning the need to disrupt bureaucratic inefficiencies, reduce regulatory hurdles, and improve health care delivery. Democrats expressed concerns about program disruptions, layoffs, and FY25 appropriated funds that remain undisbursed. A handful of Democrats pressed Sec. Kennedy on whether he would spend FY26 funds, as appropriated by Congress; he responded affirmatively. When asked who authorized the staff layoffs, Sec. Kennedy gave inconsistent responses claiming ownership in one hearing and later attributing decisions to the Department of Government Efficiency.

Public Health Preparedness and Prevention

Preparedness and prevention were central topics, especially in the HELP Committee hearing. The proposed elimination of the Hospital Preparedness Program and cuts to the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program would result in a net loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support. HELP Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) voiced concerns about the implications for under-resourced and rural states. Sec. Kennedy emphasized CDC’s legal responsibility for national pandemic response and called for reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. In the House hearing, he also addressed topics such as supply chain independence from China for critical medicines, and adequate funding for the Strategic National Stockpile and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Vaccines

Sec. Kennedy's past vaccine skepticism drew bipartisan scrutiny. Lawmakers pressed him to affirm support for routine immunizations, particularly amid a measles resurgence. When asked about pediatric vaccinations in the House hearing, Sec. Kennedy demurred wanting to refrain from giving medical advice. In the HELP hearing, he confirmed that funding appropriated for vaccines would be used accordingly and stated that vaccine recommendations would continue to be made by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). However, on May 27, he contradicted that assurance by directing CDC to remove COVID-19 as a recommended vaccine for pregnant women and children — reportedly without ACIP input. It should be noted that on June 9, a directive from Sec. Kennedy offered formal notice of the immediate termination of the current 17 ACIP voting board members.

Injury and Violence Prevention

Substance use, suicide, and overdose prevention were major topics around injury and violence. The FY26 budget proposes transferring CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control to AHA but still eliminates a majority of its programs. These programs have driven progress on opioid surveillance and community-based interventions, and reduced rates of overdose. When asked about preserving the SAMHSA State Opioid Response Grant, Sec. Kennedy said he supported harm reduction tools such as naloxone and community care programs but needed to review the specific grant. He acknowledged overdose as a public health crisis and stated that HHS will maintain 500 addiction treatment centers nationwide. He mentioned his commitment to addiction programs and the administration’s keen attention on preventing fentanyl from entering the United States. Additional questions were raised about high alcoholism rates on reservations, general funding for Indian Health Services, and elimination of LGBTQ+ services in the suicide prevention hotline; Sec. Kennedy promised to follow up on these topics.

Chronic Disease, Cancer, and Food Safety

Throughout the hearings, Sec. Kennedy underscored his steadfast commitment to reducing rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancers, Alzheimer’s and dementia, and other chronic conditions. He also wants to focus on the challenges of rural health care and rural hospital closures, as well as improved access to care for vulnerable populations, such as older Americans, veterans, and people with disabilities.

In his testimony, Sec. Kennedy repeated his commitment to address nutrition and physical activity and to prioritize healthy eating in the Head Start program. He is working closely with FDA to phase out harmful dyes. FDA has fast-tracked approval for vegetable substitute dyes for the food industry. Sec. Kennedy is also focused on combating ultra-processed foods stating that “nutrition reform will address the root causes of diseases,” such as cancer. CDC’s Center for Chronic Disease Prevention is proposed for elimination in the budget, and the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcome Study is paused.

Children’s and Women’s Health

Lawmakers from both parties voiced concern over misinformation leading to declining vaccination rates and a growing measles threat. Youth mental health and social media harms were emphasized. Senators also raised bipartisan objections to the proposed elimination of CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, which is being revisited. He expressed interest in researching environmental causes of autism and not solely focusing on genetics. In the House hearing, he acknowledged racial disparities in maternal care. Despite proposed cuts to programs like the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, Sec. Kennedy voiced support for women’s health research. He also said he supports dental care, though he offered limited assurance on fluoride access. The budget proposes to close CDC’s Division of Oral Health.

Tobacco Control

In the House hearing, Ranking Member DeLauro (D-CT) criticized the proposed elimination of CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health. Senators in the HELP hearing emphasized tobacco’s status as the leading preventable cause of death and warned that staffing cuts would undermine decades of progress. Sec. Kennedy acknowledged the concerns but said he needed to review the specifics. He was also asked about FDA’s inaction on regulating illicit Chinese-made vapes targeting U.S. youth.

While Sec. Kennedy presented the FY26 budget as a framework for streamlining government and cutting costs, critics argued that it undermines core public health capacities. As Congress enters markup season and prepares to negotiate final programs and funding levels, the outcome of this year’s budget debate will have long-term implications for the U.S. public health system.