The Trump administration has abruptly canceled over $12 billion in federal health care grants, sending shockwaves through state and local health departments that rely on this funding for critical public health initiatives. The move, which affects programs addressing substance use disorder, infectious disease prevention, and pandemic response, has already led to layoffs and uncertainty among health workers nationwide.
The Impact of the Cuts
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be reclaiming approximately $11.4 billion in grants initially allocated for COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and programs aimed at reducing health disparities. An additional $1 billion, distributed through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has also been rescinded.
The Virginia Department of Health is facing layoffs after the Trump administration announced it's cutting $11.4 billion in COVID-related funding nationwide, Axios has learned.
The big picture: VDH officials told Axios the agency was notified Tuesday that "several" of those grants will be terminated early, affecting "current staffing and ongoing projects."
Virginia’s health department is among the first to feel the effects. Staff members, including community health workers, nurses, and epidemiologists, have already begun receiving termination notices. One employee, who was laid off, told Axios that an internal email about the funding changes was sent out late Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, affected workers had been locked out of the agency’s system. The email also announced an immediate hiring freeze as the department reevaluates its remaining resources and priorities.
The Administration’s Justification
An HHS spokesperson, Andrew Nixon, defended the decision, stating:
“The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago. HHS is prioritising funding projects that will deliver on President Trump’s mandate to address our chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again.”
The administration argues that federal resources should be redirected toward long-term public health challenges rather than pandemic-era programs that are no longer necessary. However, critics argue that many of the affected initiatives have evolved beyond COVID-19 response and remain essential for addressing broader health concerns, including addiction treatment and health equity efforts.
Backlash from Lawmakers and Public Health Experts
Democratic lawmakers and public health experts have condemned the cuts as reckless and damaging to community health. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) called the decision “another destructive move by an administration intent on breaking government with no discernible strategy or plan—making our communities less safe in the process.” She urged the administration to immediately reverse the funding terminations.
Many public health officials have pointed out that state and local health departments heavily depend on federal grants. In Virginia, for example, roughly 43% of the full-time workforce in 2021 was made up of contractors funded by federal money. Without continued support, many of these positions are now at risk, potentially crippling health departments’ ability to respond to future crises.
A Broader Pattern of Public Health Rollbacks
The grant cancellations are part of a broader trend in the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce federal involvement in health care and shift responsibility to the states. In recent months, the administration has also moved to scale back Medicaid expansion efforts, tighten eligibility requirements for food assistance programs, and eliminate regulations aimed at increasing access to mental health care.
Public health experts warn that these changes could have long-term consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations. The cuts to SAMHSA grants, for example, come at a time when the nation is still grappling with a worsening opioid epidemic. Many programs that provide addiction treatment and mental health services now face an uncertain future.
State and local health departments are scrambling to adjust to the sudden loss of federal funding. Some states may attempt to fill the gaps with their own budgets, but for many, this will not be a viable long-term solution. Health experts caution that without sustained investment, the country could see a resurgence of preventable diseases and worsening health disparities.
The fight over public health funding is expected to continue as lawmakers push back against the administration’s decision. Whether the cuts will be reversed remains uncertain, but for now, communities across the country are bracing for the fallout.