KFF Tracker: America First MOU Bilateral Global Health Agreements Published: Mar 24, 2026

https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/kff-tracker-america-first-mou-bilateral-global-health-agreements/?utm_campaign=KFF-This-Week&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9798y4AkrVUbUxOdNqfyZiYtH2-aok_ofHH6rlwIZC02WL2h0RZb0QGfMyWQyJ5GeZux4gJQys330wcRfMSA2_021cUA&_hsmi=410959967&utm_content=410959967&utm_source=hs_email On September 18, 2025, the U.S. government (USG) released its new America First Global Health Strategy, which details how the U.S. will engage in global health efforts moving forward. As part of this new strategy, the U.S. has announced that it will be establishing bilateral health cooperation agreements with countries that receive U.S. global health assistance. These agreements, or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), between the U.S. and partner countries represent five-year plans (for the period 2026-2030) outlining U.S. engagement in each country’s health efforts with the goal of “helping countries move toward more resilient and durable health systems.” Central to these plans is transitioning country programs from U.S. assistance to long-term country ownership, with a pledge from each partner country to increase its domestic health spending, or co-investment in health, over the next five years as the U.S. decreases its health assistance. The U.S. began signing these agreements in late 2025 and this process is ongoing. Implementation is slated for later this year.