BCHC calls on Congress for strong FY26 CDC funding to support local communities
November 2025
In a conference letter submitted to the Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, BCHC is requesting that Congress provides the highest possible funding in the FY26 spending package for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
BCHC is extremely concerned that several recent actions by the Trump Administration have significantly weakened CDC, the rest of the nation’s public health system, and our shared efforts to combat the leading causes of preventable death and disease. This includes the clawback of more than $11 billion in funding previously appropriated by Congress and obligated by CDC to state and local health departments. In addition, an unworkable reorganization of CDC has eliminated thousands of important positions at the agency and critical programs to address chronic diseases, like tobacco and asthma, and injury and violence prevention, among others.
BCHC calls on the Subcommittee to fully invest in public health for FY 2026, but just as importantly, ensure that the appropriated funding is spent as intended, particularly those dollars that are meant to support local communities and states across the country. More than 80% of CDC’s domestic budget leaves the agency. Codifying the administration’s actions, whether through a recissions package or allowing continued impoundment, harms the public’s health and undermines Congress’ role in the budget and spending processes.
Sustained annual funding is necessary to build public health capacity for the next emergency, as well as the everyday work that keeps communities healthy and safe.
The conference letter includes suggested report language regarding local health departments and opioid overdose prevention to be included in the final FY26 joint explanatory statement. The letter also details funding recommendations for the following CDC programs:
