The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released additional details on its proposed FY2026 budget, particularly the planned restructuring that impacts many rural health programs and grants.  

While budgets proposed each year are key indicators of an Administration’s priorities, passing the government’s appropriations package each year is a responsibility of Congress.  

However, these recently released details demonstrate priorities of the Administration and confirm many of the cuts to key rural health programs outlined in a leaked version of the budget earlier this year.  

These include:  

• State Offices of Rural Health
• Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants
• Rural Hospital Stabilization Pilot Program
• Area Health Education Centers (AHECs)
• Workforce Programs – Primary Care Training and Enhancement, Nurse Education, Practice, and Retention, and many others.  

Please remind Congress that these programs are vital to rural communities and urge your legislators to prevent these cuts by messaging your legislators with this tool.