Proposed Health and Human Services Budget

On May 30, the Trump-Vance Administration released its proposed budget for the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department. The proposed budget would significantly cut discretionary spending and reorganize the Department. HHS oversees numerous mental health programs and grants, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Health Service Corps, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and much more.

Please note that this is only a proposed budget. Congress may choose to allocate more or less funding for HHS and its programs. It is still helpful to study proposed budgets because it demonstrates the Administration’s priorities and may provide a starting point for congressional negotiations around funding levels.

From the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 HHS budget, here are a few proposals that would impact mental health care:

• Approximately 33% decrease in discretionary funding for the Department
• Reorganizing several agencies and offices under a new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), including SAMHSA
• Maintaining Maternal Mental Health Hotline and 988 Lifeline funding
• Cutting more than 30 SAMHSA programs, including Mental Health Awareness Training, Primary and Behavioral Health Care Integration Programs, and Mental Health Crisis Response Partnership Program and Strategic Prevention
• Requesting a significant increase in funding for the National Health Service Corps

Congress is now going through its appropriations process where it will debate funding for HHS. During this time, it’s critical that ACA and its members continue to monitor the process and advocate for mental health funding and a robust HHS. To get more involved in mental health advocacy and learn how to contact your legislators, visit our Take Action page.

For any questions or to learn more about ACA’s advocacy efforts, contact us at advocacy@counseling.org.