U.S. Slashes $12 Billion in State Health Department Funding

U.S. Slashes $12 Billion in State Health Department Funding

Budget Cuts Impact Disease Control and Mental Health Programs

• State leaders raise concerns over public health risks

• U.S. Senator Murray urges reconsideration, citing potential job losses and health consequences

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has rescinded approximately $12 billion in federal grants previously distributed to states during the COVID-19 crisis, according to both federal and state officials.

These funds were intended to support efforts in monitoring, preventing, and managing infectious diseases such as measles and avian flu, while also tracking mental health initiatives and financing addiction treatment programs. Lawmakers and state governors have strongly opposed the decision.

In Lubbock, Texas, public health authorities received directives to halt projects backed by three grants that played a crucial role in addressing the region’s growing measles outbreak, according to a spokesperson for city public health director Katherine Wells.

According to HHS, the majority of the revoked funds had been utilized for COVID-19-related testing, vaccination, and other mitigation strategies. The agency confirmed that notices of termination began rolling out on Monday.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago," the department stated.

Federal Funding Rollbacks Under Trump Administration

President Donald Trump’s administration has withdrawn more than $11 billion in grants allocated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to nearly $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Senator Patty Murray confirmed.

In Washington state, health programs suffered a loss exceeding $160 million, affecting the state’s health department, Native American tribes, and various community organizations. Murray voiced strong opposition to the cuts, warning that over 200 jobs could be lost due to the funding withdrawal.
"Senselessly ripping away this funding Congress provided will undermine our state’s ability to protect families from infectious diseases like measles and bird flu and to help people get the mental health care and substance use treatment they need," she said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that the Trump administration informed her office of plans to eliminate over $300 million allocated to the state’s Department of Health, the Office of Addiction Supports and Services, and the Office of Mental Health. In response, she vowed to fight "tooth and nail" against efforts to strip away federal financial support.

Similarly, Illinois experienced a funding reduction of $125 million that had been designated for combatting emerging infectious diseases, including measles and bird flu, according to a statement from Democratic Governor JB Pritzker’s office.

Massachusetts also saw substantial cuts, as the funding had been instrumental in tracking mental health services, supporting addiction treatment, and addressing other pressing health concerns, Democratic Governor Maura Healey confirmed.

Cost-Cutting Measures Reshape Federal Health Policy

Since assuming office on January 20, the Trump administration has pushed forward cost-cutting measures, dismantling numerous programs and reducing the budgets of several agencies to curb what it describes as unnecessary expenditures. This approach has resulted in the shutdown of multiple initiatives and significant workforce reductions across federal agencies.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is currently led by vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose commitment to addressing chronic disease has sparked controversy. His nomination and subsequent confirmation raised concerns among medical professionals due to his stance on vaccines.