ASPPH Statement On The FY 2026 House Labor-HHS-ED Appropriations Bill

September 10, 2025

(Washington, DC)- We thank the House Appropriations Committee for its strong support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the fiscal year (FY) 2026 House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS-ED) appropriations bill, including the overall budget total for NIH, dedicated funding for the Fogarty International Center (FIC), and important language supporting facilities and administrative (F&A) costs. Sustained investments in NIH are vital to advancing public health, biomedical research, training the next generation of scientists, and improving health outcomes across the nation and the world. Schools and programs of public health receive the bulk of their research funding from the NIH

At the same time, we are deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) totaling about $1.7 billion, particularly the elimination of the Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) and $25 million in cuts to the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA). These programs are essential to building the evidence base for effective public health actions and ensuring our nation is prepared for future public health threats. We are also disappointed by the proposed elimination of the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Public Health Training Centers (PHTCs), which play a critical role in strengthening the public health workforce at a time of urgent need.

As the appropriations process moves to conference this bill, we urge Congress to ensure that, at a minimum, the funding levels and program support included in the Senate bill are reflected in the final legislation for ASPPH's key priorities. We look forward to working with policymakers to ensure that critical public health programs receive the support they need at this crucial moment for the health of our communities.

OTHER STATEMENTS:

August 28, 2025

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) expresses its profound concern regarding the abrupt firing of Dr. Susan Monarez as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 27, 2025. Dr. Monarez, a Senate-confirmed leader with a strong record of scientific integrity, served in the role for less than a month before her dismissal amid mounting pressure over vaccine policy changes.

July 28, 2025

Today, on this year's World Hepatitis Day, a coalition of organizations representing patients, health care providers, and public health systems is calling on Congress to seize a historic opportunity to eliminate a devastating disease by passing the bipartisan Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 (S.1941) introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).