HHS Budget Proposal Slashes $31 Billion, Restructures for Efficiency and Security
BankInfoSecurity
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Contributed by: Drex DeFord
Summary
The fiscal 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services includes significant reductions, with a $31 billion decrease from the previous year, bringing the discretionary budget authority to $94.7 billion. The plan proposes consolidating HHS’s divisions from 28 to 15 and reducing its workforce from 82,000 to about 62,000. Nevertheless, the budget aims to bolster enforcement of health information privacy through a newly established Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, which will oversee various units, including the Office for Civil Rights, allocated nearly $237.7 million to enhance its capabilities and manage a backlog of cases. Additionally, the proposal includes $130 million for a Chief Technology Officer role to oversee cybersecurity and health IT initiatives.
