A collective of states took legal action against the Trump administration on Tuesday following the decision to withdraw $11 billion in federal funds previously allocated for COVID-19 initiatives and various public health programs.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Rhode Island and is spearheaded by attorneys general and officials from 23 states, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and the District of Columbia.
The lawsuit contends that these budget cuts are unlawful, alleging that the government has failed to provide adequate justification or substantial evidence to support its decision. The attorneys general claim that such a move will inflict “serious harm to public health” and leave states vulnerable to future pandemics and disease outbreaks, as well as disrupt essential public health services.
The lawsuit is seeking an immediate court order to prevent the Trump administration from retracting the funds, which Congress designated during the pandemic primarily for COVID-related efforts like testing and vaccinations. These funds were also crucial for addiction and mental health support initiatives.
James highlighted the repercussions in a statement, stating, “Reducing this funding now will negate our progress on the opioid crisis, destabilize mental health systems, and burden hospitals that provide essential care.”
Despite that, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, which initiated dismissal notices for what could eventually involve 10,000 layoffs, refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal challenges. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon referenced a statement the agency made the previous week, claiming it would no longer “waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago.”
As local and state health departments continue to evaluate the fallout from these financial cuts, the lawsuit warns of potential job losses and weakened defenses against infectious diseases such as the flu and measles.
For instance, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that it issued layoff notices to 170 employees supported by federally terminated grants, with approximately 300 more jobs potentially in jeopardy. Moreover, job offers for close to 20 individuals were rescinded. The department has attributed these layoffs directly to the sudden federal funding reductions exceeding $220 million.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham stated, “We are currently working to salvage as much of this crucial public health work as possible.” She added that the abrupt federal decision left them with no alternative but to proceed with layoffs.
California anticipates losing almost $1 billion, affecting a broad range of public health endeavors such as substance abuse intervention, vaccination drives, and avian flu prevention, according to a statement from state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office.
In North Carolina, health officials project a $230 million reduction that could impact many local health departments, hospital networks, universities, and rural healthcare centers. State health officials reported that at least 80 government positions and numerous contractors would be affected.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson expressed concern, stating, “There are legitimate means to optimize the use of tax dollars, but this wasn’t one of them. Abruptly halting vital health programs without proper legal authority is not only wrong—it endangers lives.”
Already, over 24 COVID-related research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health have been terminated.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in March that COVID-19 was still claiming 411 lives on average each week, despite the end of the federal public health emergency.