The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill outlines federal discretionary spending priorities across public health, biomedical research, education, workforce development, and social services. The legislation allocates a total of $224 billion in discretionary funding and establishes detailed programmatic directives intended to guide implementation and oversight across multiple federal departments and related agencies.
The bill emphasizes continuity of funding for established programs, targeted increases in select areas, and congressional specification of funding levels and administrative responsibilities.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The bill provides $116.8 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, representing a modest increase compared with fiscal year 2025 and a higher allocation than the executive budget request. Funding is directed toward a broad range of health-related programs, including child care, mental health, substance use treatment, public health preparedness, and biomedical research.
The legislation specifies funding levels for numerous programs and includes provisions aimed at ensuring timely allocation of funds and sufficient staffing to carry out statutory responsibilities.
Biomedical and Cancer Research
Biomedical research funding remains a central component of the bill. The National Institutes of Health receives $48.7 billion in discretionary funding to support research across its institutes and centers, including Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
Targeted increases are included for cancer research, Alzheimer’s disease, rare diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, maternal health research, and infectious diseases. The bill also maintains existing provisions related to indirect cost reimbursement and research training programs, and introduces measures addressing research grant administration and institutional accountability.
Public Health and Disease Prevention
The bill allocates $9.1 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sustaining support for chronic disease prevention, immunization programs, injury prevention, infectious disease preparedness, and global health initiatives. Additional emphasis is placed on public health data modernization and strengthening state and local public health infrastructure.
Mental Health and Substance Use Services
Funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration totals $7.4 billion, supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The bill maintains SAMHSA as a distinct agency within HHS and includes allocations for opioid response programs, mental health block grants, and crisis intervention services, including continued support for the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Child Care and Early Learning
Investments in early childhood programs include funding increases for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start. The bill also sustains Preschool Development Grants, supporting early learning system planning and coordination at the state level.
Women’s Health and Maternal Care
The legislation continues funding for reproductive health services, maternal and child health programs, and women’s health research. New funding is included for a menopause-focused research initiative, alongside continued support for maternal mental health services, data collection efforts, and community-based programs aimed at improving maternal outcomes.
Pandemic Preparedness and Biodefense
The bill provides $3.69 billion for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, including funding for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Project BioShield, and the Strategic National Stockpile. These resources are intended to strengthen national readiness for public health emergencies and maintain domestic supply chain capacity.
FY2026 Education Funding and Administrative Oversight
The Department of Education receives $79.0 billion in discretionary funding. The bill continues support for K–12 education, special education, career and technical education, adult education, and higher education programs. It includes funding for Title I grants, IDEA special education programs, Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, and educator preparation initiatives, while outlining requirements related to program administration and staffing capacity.
Workforce Development and Labor Protections
The Department of Labor is allocated $13.7 billion in discretionary funding to support workforce training, registered apprenticeships, youth employment programs, and worker protection agencies. Funding sustains enforcement activities related to wage standards, workplace safety, employee benefits, and international labor standards.
Related Agencies
The bill also addresses funding for several related agencies, including the Social Security Administration, AmeriCorps, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. These provisions focus on administrative capacity, service delivery, and continuity of community-based programs. Funding outcomes for public broadcasting are shaped by prior legislative actions affecting the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD