On April 3, President Trump released his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget Request. The request outlines the Administration’s funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year (FY27) beginning on October 1, 2026. 

Released annually by each Presidential Administration, budget requests highlight the highest-priority areas and indicate where policy shifts or reforms may be brewing, but the final decisions on agency and programmatic funding levels are made by Congress.

The budget requests $111.1 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a $15.8 billion decrease from enacted FY26 levels. The budget also proposes a major reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The proposed reorganization includes moving the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), and select programs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into a newly forming Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). The budget explains, “AHA serves as the Department’s coordinating platform for prevention, primary care, and community-based health programs, enabling a more integrated and efficient federal approach to addressing chronic disease, mental health, and workforce challenges.” 

Two of the stated priorities include Strengthening Mental Health, Combating Substance Use, and Enhancing Maternal and Child Health, noting:

“Strengthening Mental Health and Combating Substance Use. 

The Budget proposes to consolidate the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, and the State Opioid Response grant program into a new Behavioral Health Innovation Block Grant, which will provide states with enhanced flexibility to respond to local behavioral health priorities. The Budget also proposes to expand Behavioral Health resources for tribes. The Budget maintains funding for suicide prevention activities, including support for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is expected to respond to approximately 11 million contacts in FY 2027. In addition, the Budget continues to support Opioid Treatment Programs and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which deliver integrated, evidence-based care for individuals with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.”

“Enhancing Maternal and Child Health. 

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries and addressing the maternity care crisis is a priority for AHA. The Budget invests in programs that provide states and communities with the flexibility to target funding towards the services needed most, including the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. It also continues programs that support education and research related to specific health conditions and disabilities, as well as the Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and the Embryo Adoption Awareness Campaign. Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to maternal and child health that spans prevention, perinatal and postpartum care, mental health supports, and education and awareness efforts to improve outcomes for mothers, infants, and families.”

However, it’s critical to point out that, as was the case in the President’s 2026 budget proposal, the 2027 budget proposes cutting several CDC programs that track and support suicide and overdose deaths and related prevention efforts:

The budget also proposes eliminating funding for several critical programs (as it did last year as well, but was not included in the Congressionally approved FY2026 budget).

  • Safe Motherhood/Infant Health Portfolio (CDC) – which includes support for Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs), the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), and more.

Regarding Maternal Mental Health Programs, the budget offers level-funding from 2026:

  • $39 million, or level funding, for the Pregnant and Postpartum Women program.
  • $8 million to support the Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA), which provides free, confidential emotional support, resources, and referrals to pregnant and postpartum women facing mental health challenges. (no change from FY26 funding level)
  • $12 million for the OB telepsychiatry consultation program grants through the Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression program, which supports health care providers’ capacity to screen, assess, treat, and refer pregnant and postpartum women for maternal mental health and substance use disorders (no change from FY26 funding level).

For more information about how the budget would impact existing health and human services grants and programs, review this detailed listing from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. 

Additional resources from the Administration:

Now that the Administration has released its budget request, eyes turn to Congress as they take up the appropriations process to determine final FY27 funding levels. 

We will continue to monitor progress with an eye on funding for programs that support mental health, maternal mental health, and maternal and child health.