A leaked draft budget document reveals the Trump administration’s plan to significantly reduce funding to the Department of Health and Human Services, including substantial cuts to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These cuts would entail shifting the responsibility of routine food inspections to states.
The preliminary budget proposes a total of $2.9 billion in congressional appropriations for the FDA, representing an 18.6% decrease from the $3.6 billion budget authority the FDA received in the 2024 fiscal year.
Under the proposed budget, the FDA would no longer directly conduct routine inspections of food facilities, with states taking on this responsibility. This shift would require states to cover 100% of the costs related to inspections, which average around $14,900 for non-high-risk facilities.
Due to challenges faced during the pandemic, the FDA has struggled to keep up with food safety inspections, resulting in significant backlogs. Moving forward, the FDA aims to expand state contracts for inspections, but the feasibility of this plan hinges on whether states have the necessary financial support and infrastructure.
Aside from the FDA, the budget proposal seeks to slash the Department of Health and Human Services’ discretionary spending by one-third. This includes plans to reduce the National Institutes of Health’s budget by 40%, which could impact early-stage science, grant funding, and various health programs.
While the proposed budget cuts are significant, there is speculation that Congress may provide more funding to the HHS than outlined in the budget proposal. Historically, the NIH has enjoyed bipartisan support, making a 40% cut to the agency unlikely.
Implications of Budget Cuts
The proposed budget cuts not only affect the FDA but also have broader implications for public health and research programs. It remains to be seen how these cuts will impact the operations and effectiveness of key agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services.