Trump’s First Budget to Congress: Dead on Arrival

Trump’s First Budget to Congress: Dead on Arrival

President Trump’s first budget was sent to Capitol Hill last week, and while a few stated that they liked what they saw, it was declared dead on arrival by both Republicans and Democrats.  The budget proposes several cuts to many programs within HHS, including more than $600 billion (on top of the AHCA proposed cuts) to Medicaid alone.  This has many in the GOP opposing the proposed budget.

The budget does spare the Medicare program from any cuts, sticking to the campaign promise from the President.  The budget also zeros out various rural health grant programs, stating that these programs should be funded locally.  The budget for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration would be cut by nearly $400 million while keeping funding for many initiatives aimed at fighting the opioid epidemic flat.