The Trump administration’s draft budget document reveals plans to significantly reduce funding to the Department of Health and Human Services, including substantial cuts to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The proposed budget sets a total of $2.9 billion in requested congressional appropriations for the FDA, representing an 18.6% decrease from the previous year.
One of the key changes proposed in the budget is the shifting of responsibility for routine food inspections from the FDA to states. The FDA currently conducts over 8,300 inspections of facilities and farms annually to ensure compliance with safety requirements and prevent foodborne illnesses. The budget document suggests that states would cover 100% of the costs related to inspections, which could amount to around $14,900 for non-high-risk facilities on average.
However, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of moving all routine inspections to states, as it depends on whether states have the financial support and infrastructure to do so effectively. The FDA has faced challenges in conducting food safety inspections in recent years, with significant backlogs and delays in inspections of non-high-risk facilities.
The proposed budget also includes cuts to the NIH budget, with plans to reduce funding by 40%. These cuts could impact early-stage research and grant funding, as well as programs related to nutrition, mental health, and various diseases. The budget cuts come on the heels of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s directive to reduce the department’s workforce by approximately 10,000 employees.
Despite the proposed budget cuts, analysts believe that Congress may provide more funding to the HHS and NIH than what is outlined in the president’s proposal. Historically, the NIH has had bipartisan support, making a 40% cut to the agency unlikely to pass. Ultimately, the budget will need 60 votes to pass, with analysts suggesting that additional funding may be allocated to key health agencies in the final budget.
