The Trump Administration’s request to rescind more than $8.3 billion in previously appropriated foreign assistance is yet another action in a troubling pattern: a systematic effort to diminish the longstanding role of the United States as a global health leader. This proposed rollback of funds undermines decades of bipartisan investment and partnership that have defined American leadership on the global stage.

The rescissions package proposes a $900 million cut to global health programming. Among the most alarming elements of the proposal is the justification provided for $500 million of that total; the Administration claims that programs supporting family planning, reproductive health, LGBTQI+ inclusion, and equity-based initiatives, are “antithetical to American interests” and “worsen the lives of women and children.” This rationale is factually incorrect, deeply harmful, ideologically driven, and entirely out of step with decades of evidence. 

Voluntary family planning and reproductive health services save lives, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and promote healthier families and communities. These programs are rooted in science and grounded in human dignity. They are also delivered in partnership with governments, civil society, and communities who have repeatedly identified them as top health priorities.

Providing inclusive health services is not a political act, but denying them is. LGBTQI+ inclusive programming and equity-based interventions are rooted in sound public health practice. They are essential to reaching underserved populations, preventing the spread of communicable diseases, and building trust in health systems. When people are excluded from lifesaving care because of who they are, health systems weaken, disparities deepen, and public health outcomes for everyone suffer.

“Eliminating these programs will do real harm,” said Global Health Council President and CEO, Elisha Dunn-Georgiou. “These are not fringe initiatives. They make the world safer, healthier, and more just. When the U.S. invests in equitable, inclusive, and evidence-based global health programs, we don’t just improve lives abroad—we strengthen public health security, global cooperation, and America’s reputation as a principled and effective leader.”

Global Health Council urges Congress to reject this rescissions package. We call on advocates, implementers, and media partners to share the facts, amplify the voices of communities served by these programs, and push back against efforts to politicize public health. These proposed cuts are about ideology, not money. And they put lives at risk.

We remain committed to working alongside our partners in government and civil society to defend U.S. global health leadership and ensure our investments reflect the values of dignity, science, and impact.