AAMC Leaders Criticize Proposed Health Care Budget Cuts for FY 2027
TL/DR –
The President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 could have negative impacts on American healthcare, according to David J. Skorton and Danielle Turnipseed of the AAMC. They express concern over a proposed reduction in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which would undermine federal support for medical research, public health, and health professions education. Additionally, they state that the budget request proposes a $1.02 billion reduction to health workforce programs and the elimination of certain health professions and nursing workforce development programs, which is troubling considering ongoing shortages of health professionals in both rural and urban communities.
AAMC Responds to President’s FY 2027 Budget Request
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has voiced grave concerns over the President’s FY 2027 budget request, suggesting that it poses serious threats to American healthcare. The AAMC, led by President and CEO David J. Skorton and Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, asserts that the proposed budget could severely undermine federal support for biomedical research and public health and medical education.
The most contentious point is the proposed funding cut for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which contrasts starkly with prior bipartisan commitment to support scientific discovery. Such federal investments have established the United States as a world leader in medical innovation, fueling both health improvements and economic growth.
The AAMC and approximately 600 other organizations nationwide suggest a minimum of $51.303 billion for the NIH’s essential work in FY 2027. The association expresses further concern regarding proposed limits on research costs and a shift in research award distributions, both of which could potentially shrink research capacity.
The budget also proposes a major $1.02 billion reduction to health workforce programs, which could affect health professional availability in both rural and urban communities. This includes the elimination of 14 Title VII and Title VIII programs for health professions and nursing workforce development. The AAMC also notes proposed funding cuts for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as problematic.
The AAMC is urging lawmakers to reject the proposed cuts in the upcoming FY 2027 appropriations legislation. Instead, they recommend bipartisan efforts to enhance funding for patients, physicians, health professionals, researchers, and community health.
As FY 2027 deliberations progress, the AAMC is encouraging the administration to ensure the timely allocation of Health and Human Services funding. Citing recent AAMC data, they highlight current delays and disruptions, urging for a more consistent rate of expenditure to avoid impeding essential scientific discoveries.
The AAMC reaffirms its commitment to collaborate with Congress and the administration. They aim to enhance the nation’s health care infrastructure, notably in medical research, public health, and health profession education.
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