Philanthropy’s Role in Protecting Public Health
In recent months, negative sentiment and rhetoric against our country’s public health system has led to a variety of policy decisions, ranging from defunding local public health departments to undercutting and dismantling key systems and infrastructure. These actions will have profound and far-reaching consequences for our nation’s health. Join this call to discuss the impact of recent state and federal actions on local health departments, how health funders are investing in their communities’ public health, and what grantmakers can do to protect public health. Speakers include Lori Freeman of National Association of County & City Health Officials, Avital Havusha of New York Health Foundation, and Brian Williams of Missouri Foundation for Health.
Health Policy Update: May 27, 2025
In an effort to help our Funding Partners better understand the changing health policy landscape in the new administration and Congress, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is expanding the GIH Health Policy Update newsletter to three issues per month. Working in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, we are adding new installments of the newsletter on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, while we will continue to partner with Trust for America’s Health on the installment released on the second Wednesday of the month.
Infosheet: Key Provisions in the House-passed Reconciliation Bill—H.R. 1, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’
An infosheet provides analysis of key health, philanthropy, and nonprofit provisions in H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22, 2025. Changes include an estimated $715 billion reduction in federal Medicaid spending including work requirements, new eligibility requirements to the Affordable Care Act that will reduce access to the ACA’s Advanced Premium Tax Credits, $300 billion in reductions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, an excise tax on foundations, and new authority for the Secretary of the Treasury to remove the tax-exempt status of nonprofits the administration deems as “terrorist support organizations.”
Health Policy Update: May 15, 2025
In an effort to help our Funding Partners better understand the changing health policy landscape in the new administration and Congress, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is expanding the GIH Health Policy Update newsletter to three issues per month. Working in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, we are adding new installments of the newsletter on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, while we will continue to partner with Trust for America’s Health on the installment released on the second Wednesday of the month.
Statement from Cara V. James in Philanthropy Women About Consequences of New Administration’s Actions
A statement from Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was republished in an article in Philanthropy Women on May 15, 2025, titled “Health Care Donors Urged to Take a Stand Amidst Ongoing Funding Cuts.” The statement was originally published by GIH to mark the first 100 days of the new administration, denouncing the harmful policies, devastating funding cuts, and threats to democracy that have taken place in that time. The editor included an editor’s note that Dr. James’ statement struck a deep chord and urged funders to step up to mitigate the damage of the administration’s extreme and unprecedented withdrawal of funding for health.
Act Now to Protect Philanthropy, Medicaid, and SNAP
Right now, Congress is finalizing a massive budget reconciliation bill that threatens philanthropy’s freedom to give and endangers the health and well-being of many millions of Americans. We are reaching out today to raise awareness of three critical developments in the ongoing budget reconciliation process and to encourage you to act.
Health Policy Update: May 8, 2025
In an effort to help our Funding Partners better understand the changing health policy landscape in the new administration and Congress, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is expanding the GIH Health Policy Update newsletter to three issues per month. Working in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, we are adding new installments of the newsletter on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, while we will continue to partner with Trust for America’s Health on the installment released on the second Wednesday of the month.
Cara V. James Speaks Up on Federal Disruption with Inside Philanthropy
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was interviewed for an Inside Philanthropy article published on April 30, 2025. The piece outlines philanthropy’s reactions to the sweeping cuts to public health infrastructure in the United States, the consequences of these cuts, and the importance of remaining committed to our values.
Cara V. James in Inside Philanthropy on Health Funder Reactions to HHS Cuts
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was quoted in an Inside Philanthropy article on April 24, 2025, titled “’Bloodbath at HHS’: Health Funding Leaders React to Trump’s Cuts.” The piece discusses how cuts to staff and programs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) threaten critical health services across the country—from cancer research to Meals on Wheels—and how leaders in health philanthropy are responding to the carnage.
Health Policy Update: April 17, 2025
In an effort to help our Funding Partners better understand the changing health policy landscape in the new administration and Congress, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is expanding the GIH Health Policy Update newsletter to three issues per month. Working in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, we are adding new installments of the newsletter on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, while we will continue to partner with Trust for America’s Health on the installment released on the second Wednesday of the month.