Health & Human Services budget cuts in plain language

This summary was written by Professor Alexander J. Sundermann, DrPH Assistant Professor, Faculty of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

▶️Are you a 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁?
CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) was eliminated. This team collected data from states to understand pregnancy complications and reduce infant deaths. If you’ve received prenatal health guidance—PRAMS probably informed it.

▶️Work in a job with possible 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀?
NIOSH lost over 800 staff. Teams monitoring toxic exposures and other job-related illnesses and injuries were eliminated.

▶️Know someone affected by 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻/𝘀𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲?
SAMHSA cut staff supporting state opioid overdose and suicide surveillance programs.

▶️Take prescription 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) lost over 800 staff—those who review new drugs, monitor side effects, and update safety labels.

▶️Worried about injuries, 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮, lead poisoning, or gun violence?
CDC cut teams working on injury prevention, environmental health, and national data systems l Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research eliminated its education and outreach division, which promoted childhood oral health and prevention.

▶️Rely on rural or community 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀?
HRSA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care, which serves 31 million people, lost a third of its staff. This affects prenatal care, HIV programs, and access in underserved areas.

▶️Ever had an 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 disease?
Entire teams working on HIV, tuberculosis, and global health preparedness were cut. Even the acting director of NIAID was placed on leave.

▶️Think emergency 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 matter?
The Strategic National Stockpile team—responsible for pandemic PPE, vaccines, and critical medical equipment—was hit.

▶️Have a loved one in 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 or on Medicare?
CMS lost staff focused on nursing home oversight, home health inspections, fraud detection, and minority health rights.

▶️Support 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 health abroad?
USAID funding for global family planning was terminated, cutting off contraception access for nearly 50 million people.

▶️Need help with utility bills or emergency support?
The entire federal staff of LIHEAP was laid off. This program helped low-income families keep the lights and heat on.

▶️Care about tobacco prevention and cessation?
CDC’s Tobacco Control Program was gutted, pausing key efforts to reduce smoking-related deaths.

▶️Value government transparency?
CDC’s FOIA office was eliminated, cutting off public access to health data and records.