25 Pima County Health Dept. Jobs and $1.9M in Programs Slashed as Trump Retracts Grants

Pima County is facing significant challenges as funding cuts from the Trump administration threaten local health initiatives. The abrupt halt on grant spending, originally allocated for pandemic-response programs, may lead to over 20 job losses, amounting to a $1.9 million reduction in funding aimed at enhancing vaccination rates and addressing health disparities.

No layoff notices have been issued yet, but county officials are preparing for potential job cuts. The county health department has indicated that employees affected by the closures may apply for open positions within the department. County Administrator Jan Lesher confirmed that eight grant-funded workers focusing on health disparities, along with 14 involved in vaccination efforts, will be directly impacted.

The announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shocked local health officials. Pima County had anticipated receiving $1.9 million in grant funding, which is now rendered “inaccessible,” according to Lesher. In correspondence with staff, Pima County Health Department (PCHD) Director Theresa Cullen detailed the immediate termination of funding for both the Health Disparities grant and the Vaccine Equity Program.

The vaccination program, intended to conclude in June, faces an expedited dissolution. Cullen explained that while 14 staff members were fully funded through the grant, several others were partially supported by these funds. “Potential cuts seem linked to COVID-19 response grants, with other funding sources likely at risk,” she added.

Pima County plans to provide at least two weeks of pay to those whose positions are being defunded, with merit-based staff entitled to 30 days after receiving a layoff notice. The health department’s recent vacancy report indicated 489 positions, with 96 currently vacant as of December 15, 2024. A shift to a new financial platform, Workday, has hindered timely updates regarding these vacancies.

The affected local programs were part of a broader national initiative aimed at addressing COVID-19 health disparities. Lesher highlighted that the health disparities funding amounting to $6.5 million was designed to support county initiatives through May 2026. With this shutdown, approximately $903,000 is now inaccessible. The program facilitated essential services such as health education and resource distributions.

Furthermore, the vaccine equity grant totaling $9.5 million will also leave $1 million unreachable following its cancellation. The implications are vast, as 25 scheduled events, including 18 vaccine clinics, are now canceled, disrupting critical outreach efforts.

Lesher expressed frustration over the swift changes impacting local health programs. She noted that while it’s common for grant-funded positions to conclude with program completions, such abrupt cancellations complicate matters. Pima County aims to ensure that laid-off staff are given priority in applying for other county employment opportunities.

Responding to the funding cuts, officials from the Trump administration justified the actions, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended and deeming the spending as unnecessary. HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon emphasized a shift towards addressing chronic diseases instead. However, data indicates that the pandemic’s repercussions persist, with over 1.2 million American fatalities attributed to COVID-19 and ongoing health challenges faced by many survivors.