FY2027 Budget Proposes Eliminating NIMHD as 'DEI Expenditure' — Cuts Federal Research Pipeline for FQHC Cultural Competency Models

The White House FY2027 budget proposes eliminating the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), characterizing it as 'replete with DEI expenditures.' The proposal also cuts CMS health equity program funding by $674M.

NIMHD funds the research base for culturally concordant care models, CHW effectiveness studies, and the SDOH interventions that undergird FQHC clinical programs. While Congress is unlikely to pass the proposal verbatim, even partial cuts would sever the federal research pipeline that validates FQHC cultural humility and health equity approaches — compounding the earlier HHS OMH restructuring.