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Legislative bills

House Appropriations Committee Approves FY26 Spending Bill with Mixed Results for Cancer Research Funding

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The House Appropriations Committee is set to consider the draft FY26 appropriations bill, which includes an increase in funding for cancer research and prevention programs. However, the bill also eliminates $247 million for tobacco prevention and control and cuts $555 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) would receive $48 billion, a $99 million increase from FY25, while the National Cancer Institute (NCI) would get $7.272 billion, a $48 million increase over last year's funding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would receive a $7.5 million increase for cancer prevention programs, bringing the total to $417.5 million.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House Appropriations Committee's draft FY26 spending bill includes a $99 million increase in base level funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from $47.901 billion in FY25 to $48 billion in FY26.
  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI) would receive $7.272 billion in funding, a $48 million increase from the previous year's funding.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would get a $7.5 million increase for cancer prevention programs, totaling $417.5 million.
  • The bill eliminates $247 million for tobacco prevention and control programs, a significant blow to cancer prevention efforts.
  • The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) would face a $555 million cut, which could hinder innovative cancer research initiatives.
  • The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has called on Congress to provide the highest possible increases for cancer research and prevention, as well as pass a year-long spending bill to ensure continuity in funding.
  • Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing cancer research and prevention to ensure progress and benefit for individuals and communities.

Statistics:

  • $48 billion: NIH funding for FY26, a $99 million increase from FY25.
  • $7.272 billion: National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding for FY26, a $48 million increase from the previous year.
  • $417.5 million: CDC funding for cancer prevention programs in FY26, with a $7.5 million increase.
  • $247 million: Eliminated funding for tobacco prevention and control programs in the FY26 spending bill.
  • $555 million: Cut in funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

Sources:

  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). (2023, September 3). [Statement from Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, on the House Appropriations Committee's draft FY26 spending bill](https://www.acscan.org/press-releases/statement-from-lisa-lacasse-president-of-acscan-on-the-house-appropriations-committees-draft-fy26-spending-bill).
  • [House Appropriations Committee. (2023, September 2). Draft FY26 appropriations bill](https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/appropriations-committee-approves-fy26-spending-bill).
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH). [FY26 budget request](https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/who-we-are/organization/nih-budget-website/fy26-budget-request).
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [FY26 budget request](https://www.cdc.gov/about/annreports/2023/FY26_budget_ex.pdf).

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