Congress Passes Labor Health and Human Services Spending Bill, Includes $200 million for Special Diabetes Program for Indians
On February 3, 2026, Congress passed a three-bill appropriations minibus for fiscal year (FY) 2026, which included the appropriations bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS). The bill includes $116.6 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is $100 million below the FY 2025 levels and $22 billion above the President’s request. The bill also includes $200 million for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), which represents a $41 million increase, the largest increase for the program in 22 years.
Other Key provisions include:
- $9 million, $3 million increase, for the Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes program
- $27 million, $3 million increase, for the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program
- $25.67 million, $2 million increase, for the Tribal Behavioral Health Grants (Native Connections)
- No less than $6 million for the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund – Tribal Set Aside.
Background
NCUIH worked closely with Appropriators to advocate for increased funding for Indian Country. In written testimony, NCUIH advocated for $10 million for the Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes program, $30 million for the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program, and to protect funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.
Next Steps
The bill will now head to the President to sign.
Bill Highlights
| Line Item | FY 2025 Enacted | FY 2026 President’s Budget Request | FY 2026 Senate Committee Passed | FY 2026 House Committee Passed | Final FY 2026 Appropriations |
| Health Resources and Services Administration | $8.9 billion | Fold into Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) | $8.86 billion | $7.4 billion | $8.95 billion |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | $7.4 billion | Fold into AHA | $7.4 billion | $7.1 billion | $7.4 billion |
| National Institute of Health | $48.6 billion | $27.5 billion | $48.7 billion | $47.8 billion | $48.7 billion |
| Centers for Disease Control | $9.2 billion | Fold into AHA | $9.15 billion | $7.5 billion | $9.2 billion |
| Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country | $24 million | — | $24 million | $30 million | $27 million |
| Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes | $6 million | — | $6 million | $14 million | $9 million |
| Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program | $2.57 billion | $2.50 billion | $2.57 billion | $2.04 billion | $2.57 billion |
| Ending the HIV Epidemic | $165 million | $165 million | $165 million | $165 million | $165 million |
| Minority HIV/AIDS Fund | $60 million | Eliminated | $60 million | $20 million | $56 million |
| Minority HIV/AIDS Fund – Tribal Set Aside | $5 million | — | $5 million | No less than $6 million | No less than $6 million |
| Tribal Behavioral Health Grants (Native Connections) | $23.67 million | Eliminated. Created a new behavioral health program under AHA | $23.67 million | $30 million | $25.67 million |
Additional Key Provisions:
Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities: Extended through December 31, 2027.
Health Resources and Services Administration
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy: $417 million
Native Hawaiian Health Care Program: $27 million
National Health Service Corps: $130 million (15% Tribal set-aside)
- Tribal Set-Aside—The Committee includes a set-aside of 15 percent within the total funding provided for NHSC to support awards to participating individuals that provide health services in Indian Health Service facilities, Tribally-operated health programs, and Urban Indian Health programs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country: $27 million – $3 million increase
Public Health Infrastructure: $360 million ($10.8 million Tribal set-aside)
- The agreement includes a new requirement that three percent of total PHI funding be designated specifically for Tribes and Tribal organizations. The agreement further directs that no less than 70 percent of total PHI funding be awarded to State, local, and Territorial public health departments.
Office of the Secretary – General Departmental Management
Minority HIV/AIDS Fund: $56 million ($6 million Tribal set-aside)
- The agreement includes a Tribal set-aside of no less than $6,000,000 within the Minority HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment program.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Eating Disorders: $2 million
Substance Abuse Prevention Services: $205 million
Tribal Behavioral Grants (Native Connections): $25.67 million
Zero Suicide: $23.8million
American Indian and Alaska Native Set Aside: $4.4 million
Minority AIDS Appropriations: $9.2 million
Mental Health Awareness Training: $28 million
Strategic Prevention Framework: $137.5 million
Mental Health Services Block Grant: $991.5 million
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: $534.6 million
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant: $1.9 billion
State Opioid Response Grants: $1.6 billion
- Within the amount provided, the bill includes a set-aside for Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations of not less than 4.25 percent.
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes: $9 million – $3 million increase
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Health Research Office: $5 million – $1 million increase
Important Behavioral and Mental Health Provisions
Medication-Assisted Treatment for Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction: $114 million
- Tribal Set Aside: $15.5 million
Peer-Support Specialists: $15 million
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program: $15 million
Administration for Community Living
Native American Caregiver Support Program: $14 million
