Congressional Funding For Health, Education To Benefit Alabama

Community project funding, or earmarks, returned to the U.S. House Labor-HHS-Education bill this year after being banned for the last few years. Alabama Hospitals and medical centers will mostly benefit from some $35 million of it, headed to the Yellowhammer State.

The House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation to fund the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education departments for the next fiscal year, led by subcommittee chair West Alabama Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-4th District).

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The legislation does cut about $4 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services budget, prompting Democrats on the sub-committee to complain about the $2 billion less allocated for the operation of the Affordable Care Act marketplace (better known as Obamacare), and cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

“The Fiscal Year 2027 Labor, HHS, and Education bill prioritizes the core mission of the Appropriations Committee by balancing the need for responsible fiscal stewardship while maintaining key investments for the people and institutions that strengthen our nation,” Aderholt said after the bill's passage. “Following the president’s direction, we have taken a close look at every program funded in this bill and worked to codify the Trump administration’s efforts to end senseless progressive overreach."

“This bill advances educational opportunities, restores accountability and ensures taxpayer dollars are directed toward core functions like biomedical research, biodefense infrastructure and rural health."

15 hospitals in Alabama will benefit from the spending bill, none in West Alabama. However, West Alabama Democrat Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-7th District) secured $1 million for facilities and equipment in Tuscaloosa and $400,000 for equipment in Greene County.