Trump Administration proposes significant HHS cuts

The Trump Administration on May 2 released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 “abbreviated” budget request, which seeks $33 billion – or 26.2 percent – in cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The full budget request is anticipated to be released later this month. The administration recommends cuts to most agencies in HHS, with the largest reductions targeting the National Institute of Health (NIH), and others impacting oral health programs. The president’s budget request marks the start of the annual appropriations process. While the request does not carry the weight of law, it signals the Administration’s fiscal policy priorities, which the Republican-controlled Congress may closely follow. AAOMS signed on to a coalition letter urging congressional appropriators to reject the proposed cuts.