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• HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to testify before Congress on the 2026 White House budget request.
• The budget proposal includes significant cuts to health care programs and HHS agencies.
• Key issues include Medicaid funding, gender transition procedures, and budget neutrality for demonstration programs.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

On May 14, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee regarding the 2026 White House budget request. This hearing is significant as it marks the first time in at least two decades that an HHS Secretary is testifying on a presidential budget before the HELP Committee.

Core Players

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• President Trump – Proponent of the budget proposal

Key Numbers

• $880 billion – Projected savings from 2025-2034 due to proposed provisions
• 2026 – Fiscal year for the proposed budget
• 2029-2031 – Delayed timeline for Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts
• 75% of MEI – Update to the single conversion factor for clinicians in CY 2026

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The 2026 White House budget request has sparked significant debate due to its extensive cuts to health care programs and HHS agencies. Secretary Kennedy’s testimony is crucial as it will provide insight into the administration’s rationale behind these cuts.

The budget proposal includes several contentious measures, such as prohibiting federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for certain gender transition procedures for minors and delaying Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts until 2029-2031.

Inside Forces

Internal dynamics within the HHS and the administration are driving these budget decisions. The administration argues that the cuts are necessary to reduce redundancies and punish agencies that underperformed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Secretary Kennedy, who was confirmed in February, has previously dodged questions about these cuts but will now face direct scrutiny from Congress.

Power Dynamics

The relationship between the administration and Congress is tense, with Republican lawmakers likely to support the budget cuts while Democrats are expected to oppose them vigorously. The hearing will highlight these power dynamics as lawmakers question Secretary Kennedy.

The administration’s stance on reducing funding for programs related to racial and gender characteristics will also be a point of contention.

Outside Impact

The broader implications of these budget cuts are significant. Health care providers and patients could face substantial changes in services and funding. The delay in Medicaid DSH cuts and the changes to Medicaid demonstration programs under Section 1115 waivers will have far-reaching effects on health care access.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed provisions could create savings of more than $880 billion from 2025-2034, but critics argue that these savings come at the cost of essential health services.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the outcome of this hearing will set the stage for further legislative battles. The markups in both the House and Senate committees are expected to be lengthy and contentious, with numerous amendments likely to be proposed.

The administration’s ability to push through these budget cuts will depend on its ability to navigate these legislative hurdles and address the concerns of various stakeholders.

Data Points

• May 14, 2025 – Date of the Senate HELP Committee hearing
• 1:30 PM ET – Time of the hearing
• 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building – Location of the hearing
• February 2025 – Month Secretary Kennedy was confirmed
• $880 billion – Projected savings from proposed provisions