Federal Funding Cuts Lead to Layoffs and Reduced Public Health Services
ST. PAUL, Minn. — As a direct result of unprecedented federal funding cuts, today, the Minnesota Department of Health sent layoff and separation notices to 170 employees whose positions were funded by these terminated federal grants of $226 million. The federal government gave no advance notice, and the Department of Health was forced to move forward with layoffs immediately. These layoffs will directly affect ongoing public health programs and work to address chronic gaps in our health systems.
“This is the largest federal funding cut Minnesota has seen yet, and it will impact Minnesotans from every corner of our state,” said Senator Melissa H. Wiklund (DFL – Bloomington), Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. “This administration is attempting to erase every hard-earned lesson from the pandemic and undermine the most effective public health tools we have to prevent disease and improve the health of our communities.”
The federal cuts and resulting staffing cuts will impact the state’s response to measles and avian flu (H5N1), wastewater surveillance, the state’s public health laboratory, community clinics, Tribal Public Health, and partner-led vaccination efforts. The Department of Health also cited significant reductions in support for nursing homes, including staff training on disease prevention, HVAC upgrades, and support for other congregate settings.
“The federal government has gone back on their agreements with the state of Minnesota, and it is forcing us to reduce important services to people,” said Senator Wiklund. “These cuts are extreme and will affect Minnesotans as they go about their daily lives – the state cannot fill these gaps alone.”
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