Children’s Hospital Association Comments on Trump Administration Budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) today called on lawmakers to protect children’s health by continuing to invest in vital health care programming. CHA is concerned President Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes reductions that would jeopardize programs vital to children’s health. The proposed cuts and eliminations could unravel programs that families rely on to protect children and support their healthy development into adulthood.

“We are concerned that the budget presented today constitutes a serious threat to the well-being of our nation’s children,” said Matthew Cook, CHA president and CEO. “The programs targeted for proposed reductions and eliminations are smart investments—they prevent crises before they start, strengthen families, and support the future of our pediatric workforce. Slashing them would leave children behind and set back progress on key health challenges.”

The budget proposes an $18 billion dollar decrease in funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the elimination of funding to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program, and a $1.7 billion decrease in funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) from FY 2025 enacted levels. These programs, among others, are vital to building healthy futures for kids nationwide. The budget also proposes an additional $500 million for the Make America Healthy Again Commission.

CHA looks forward to working closely with the Trump Administration and Congress towards our mutual goals of protecting and strengthening children’s health care.