This statement can be attributed to Cemeré James, interim executive director and president of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) 

April 18, 2025, Washington, D.C. – This week, multiple news outlets have reported that the Trump Administration plans to propose $40 billion in cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the agency responsible for protecting the health of the American people and providing essential services to children and families. Plans include allowing the Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, a move that would cost states an estimated $34 billion in GDP, $2 billion in tax revenue, slashing hospital revenues (especially in rural areas), and causing four million people to lose health insurance. These cuts are expected in the forthcoming fiscal year 2026 Presidential Budget, which sets forth the President’s priorities for Congress in the annual funding process. 

 Head Start and Other Child Care and Early Ed Programs 

Among the programs eliminated in the proposal is Head Start, which for nearly 60 years has provided affordable early education for millions of families while employing thousands of educators and care providers. Its elimination would disrupt learning for hundreds of thousands of children, cause major job losses in the strained child care workforce, and leave parents without the care they need to work or attend school. The proposal also cuts Preschool Development Grants, which help states build early childhood systems. These cuts would reduce child care availability and deepen financial instability for families and communities. 

 Health, Mental Health, and Well-Being 

The leaked budget proposes disruptions and the elimination of life-saving programs that marginalized populations rely on. Some programs would shift to the newly created “Administration for Healthy America,” while others would be cut entirely. These include the Administration for Community Living, the Prevention and Public Health Fund, suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth, grants for underserved youth, Tribal and minority health programs, and HIV/AIDS clinics. 

Stripping Support for Workforce and Housing and Spreading Misinformation  

The proposed budget cuts critical workforce development programs, including mental health education, scholarships, and training for future health care providers who serve underrepresented communities—setting the stage for a greater provider shortage in the years ahead. It also eliminates the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps households with low incomes afford heating and cooling. Currently, only 20 percent of eligible households receive LIHEAP benefits. Ending the program would deepen housing insecurity for up to 6.2 million households, putting more families and children at risk of homelessness. Beyond these cuts, the proposal falsely claims immigrants don’t pay taxes and seeks to deny public benefits to non-citizens, including lawful permanent residents, who contribute to these programs. 

These budget cuts target marginalized communities—including those with low incomes, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and communities of color—but the consequences will harm everyone’s health and the broader economy. Put simply, this proposal endangers the well-being of the entire nation. CLASP urges Congress to reject the budget, protect Head Start, and prioritize the country’s health and stability over the Trump Administration’s relentless efforts to dismantle vital programs under the guise of cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. These cuts will hurt real people and make life even harder for families already struggling to get by.