Statement from the American College of Nurse-Midwives on the Leaked HHS Budget Proposal
The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is deeply concerned by reports of significant proposed cuts to the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program in the leaked U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) FY 2026 budget request.
Title VIII programs are essential to supporting the education and training of our nation’s nursing and midwifery workforce—an investment that directly impacts access to high-quality, evidence-based, equitable health care across the country, particularly in underserved and rural communities. At a time when our nation faces critical shortages in the health care workforce, any reduction in funding to these programs threatens to undermine progress toward improving maternal health outcomes, reducing disparities, and strengthening our health care infrastructure.
ACNM strongly urges HHS and congressional leaders to reject these proposed cuts and instead prioritize robust investment in nursing and midwifery education and training. The health of our nation and the future of our nation’s nursing and midwifery workforce depends on it.
