SPOKANE, Wash. — The Trump Administration is pulling back over $11 billion in COVID-era funding from local health departments.
The funding covers grants linked to addiction care, mental health treatment and other programs. In Washington, this could mean canceled grants for local organizations and health districts.
The cuts also include cutting thousands of jobs for federal workers at the CDC, the FDA and the National Institute of Health.
“That is about as good for the public health as a cough in your face,” said Senator Patty Murray.
Sen. Murray is worried these cuts will make it more difficult to stop the spread of bird flu and measles.
The Department of Health and Human Services also canceled $12 billion in grants this week, but local organizations do not know if they’re included in those cuts.
Washington State is set to receive dozens of grants from the National Institute of Health this year. WSU says it’s already received pauses or stop work orders for federal research grants in recent weeks. Some have been changed to cancellations or the orders have been rescinded.
Sen. Murray wants to fight back against these cuts.
“It will just mean fewer health services for our communities, more opportunities for disease to spread and longer waits for lifesaving treatments and cures,” Sen. Murray said. “These cuts will not reduce the deficit in any way.”
Providence is set to receive $2 million in grants from HHS this year. The company released a statement, saying:
“As we do whenever funding changes to federally supported public health programs are proposed, Providence is carefully evaluating HHS’s announcement to understand what it might mean for our patients, caregivers, physicians and communities. As the scope of the proposed cuts comes into focus, we will work with our local, state and Congressional representatives to assess the potential impacts on those we serve.”
Eastern Washington University, which received grand funding from HHS as early as last year, says it has not been notified of any changes.
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