LeadingAge Reax: White House Preliminary Draft Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services for FY2026

PRESS RELEASE | April 18, 2025

LeadingAge Reax: White House Preliminary Draft Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services for FY2026

Home » LeadingAge Reax: White House Preliminary Draft Budget for the Department of Health and Human Services for FY2026

“The nation requires HHS funding that addresses the needs of Americans.”

April 18, 2025 Washington, DC – Statement from Linda Couch, senior vice president of policy and advocacy, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, reacting to the draft White House budget request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2026 (FY26).

“The leaked preliminary draft budget for FY26 for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminates dozens of programs central to the health and welfare of older adults and the people who serve them and jeopardizes other programs by merging them into block grants, through which programs may or may not be funded at states’ discretion. News of possible colossal funding cuts also comes on the heels of massive staff cuts at HHS; together HHS’ ability to effectively carry out its critical duties are grossly diminished. The nation requires HHS funding that addresses the needs of Americans. Given the plans outlined in this document, combined with already under way massive HHS workforce cuts, HHS appears disinclined to do either.

We continue to review this draft as we await the full suite of budget documents once the request is formally transmitted to the Hill.”

About LeadingAge:

We represent more than 5,400 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-driven organizations serving older adults that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 36 partners in 41 states, we use advocacy, education, applied research, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership encompasses the entire continuum of aging services, including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, affordable housing, retirement communities, adult day programs, community-based services, hospice, and home-based care. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org