The National Association of School Nurses (NASN), representing nearly 20,000 school nurses nationwide, strongly opposes the drastic funding reductions proposed in President Trump’s FY2025 “skinny budget” for both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These proposed cuts pose an immediate and severe threat to the health, safety, and educational success of our nation’s children—especially the most vulnerable.
Department of Education (ED)
The proposed $12 billion cut—over 15% of the ED budget—along with the consolidation of critical programs, threatens to dismantle the infrastructure supporting children with disabilities and underserved populations. Of particular concern:
- Special Education: Consolidating seven IDEA programs into a single “Special Education Simplified Funding Program” risks reducing targeted, effective support for students with disabilities.
- Civil Rights: A $49 million reduction in the Office for Civil Rights undermines protections for students facing discrimination in schools.
- English Language Learners: An $890 million cut to programs supporting English learners will severely impair the ability of schools to serve immigrant and multilingual students.
- Grant Program Consolidation: Folding 18 K-12 formula and competitive grants into one “K-12 Simplified Funding Program” could erase funding equity and access.
- Charter School Expansion: NASN supports innovation but growth, it must not come at the expense of transparency, accountability, and funding for public education.
While assurances have been made that IDEA and Title I funding will be preserved, redirecting these funds to other agencies threatens their intended impact and transparency.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
The proposed 26% cut to HHS, including critical agencies and programs, threatens the nation’s child and mental health infrastructure and jeopardizes evidence-based nursing practice:
- National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR): Eliminating NINR dismantles 40 years of research that informs safe, science-based nursing practices in schools and communities.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): A nearly 40% cut and reorganization jeopardizes ongoing health research essential to children and public health.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): A proposed halving of CDC’s budget, including elimination of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, severely compromises school health initiatives and chronic disease management.
- Mental Health and Substance Use: Over $1 billion in proposed cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), directly threatens prevention, treatment, and mental health support services for students.
- Agency Reorganization: Folding SAMHSA and HRSA into the newly proposed “Administration for a Healthy America (AHA)” may disrupt the delivery of critical school and community-based health services.
NASN’s Position
School nurses are essential public health professions on the front line of public health in schools. They are uniquely positioned to manage chronic conditions, support mental health, reduce health disparities, and ensure students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The proposed budget disregards the essential role of school health professionals and threatens the educational and health outcomes of millions of children.
NASN urges Congress to reject these harmful budget cuts and to instead prioritize sustained, targeted investment in education, health research, and student wellness services. We stand ready to work with federal leaders to ensure every student has the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.