A group of state attorneys general has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding its recent decision to cut $11 billion in federal funding. This funding has been crucial for COVID-19 initiatives and other public health programs throughout the country.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Rhode Island by attorneys general from 23 states, including notable figures such as New York’s Letitia James and Colorado’s Phil Weiser. Among those involved in the lawsuit are the governors of Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and attorneys general from several other states.
The lawsuit claims that these funding cuts are unlawful and could lead to significant damage to public health. They warn that this decision might leave states more vulnerable to future pandemics and hinder efforts to manage preventable diseases, risking essential public health services.
The attorneys general are urging the court to reverse the administration’s decision immediately, as the funds were allocated by Congress during the pandemic and have been primarily used for critical COVID-19 efforts, including testing and vaccination, along with addiction and mental health programs.
In a news release, AG Letitia James expressed concerns over the funding cuts, stating that they could undo progress made in combating the opioid crisis and destabilize mental health services, creating challenges for hospitals in caring for patients.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced layoffs expected to total around 10,000 employees. An HHS spokesperson reflected on the funding cuts, stating that the department would no longer allocate taxpayer money to what they described as a “non-existent pandemic.”
The cancellation of over two dozen COVID-related research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health has already begun, highlighting the administration’s shift in focus away from pandemic-related funding.
Despite the federal public health emergency coming to an end, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that COVID-19 continues to claim lives, averaging 411 deaths per week as of March. Local and state health departments are still evaluating how these funding cuts will affect their operations and services.
