States Take Legal Action Against Trump Administration Over $11 Billion Public Health Funding Cuts

A coalition of Democratic officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, contesting the abrupt cut of over $11 billion in crucial public health funding. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Rhode Island on Tuesday and highlights the potential harm of these funding cuts on various urgent public health needs, including vaccine distribution and infectious disease tracking.

The officials behind the lawsuit, which spans 45 pages, include notable figures such as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. They argue the funding terminations pose serious risks to public health, exacerbating vulnerabilities to future pandemics and preventable diseases.

This funding was originally allocated during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last week it would redirect these resources, claiming they were being wasted on pandemic responses that were no longer necessary. “The Covid-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic,” the department stated.

However, the states assert that the funding is vital for addressing ongoing health challenges, such as the recent surge in measles cases and the spread of bird flu. These issues are compounded by decreased vaccination rates, which scientists have warned could lead to broader public health crises.

The funding cuts are expected to critically undermine emergency preparedness and mental health services, which have become increasingly necessary in light of the pandemic’s aftermath. The coalition expresses concern that losing these funds will hinder their ability to respond effectively to emerging health threats.

As an example, Washington State claims it will lose approximately $118 million, impacting about 150 full-time public health employees. This reduction will diminish the state’s capacity to manage outbreaks of mpox, measles, and H5N1, alongside efforts related to COVID-19 surveillance and healthcare access challenges.

The states are requesting an emergency temporary restraining order to prevent the federal government from reclaiming the allocated funds. New York Attorney General Letitia James condemned the cuts, calling them an attack on the well-being of Americans, with predictions that the slashing of funds will hinder progress on the opioid crisis and disrupt mental health systems.

New York stands to lose over $400 million, affecting initiatives aimed at health disparities, LGBTQ+ and immigrant health, as well as school vaccination programs. The lawsuit names the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as defendants, marking one of numerous legal challenges against the administration regarding these funding cuts.

While HHS declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, the coalition emphasizes that the detrimental impacts of these funding eliminations could be felt nationwide. Joining New York, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and California in the lawsuit are attorneys general from Colorado, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Washington, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin.