New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 22 other states and the District of Columbia on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for abruptly and unlawfully slashing billions of dollars in vital state health funding.
On March 24, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it was clawing back more than $11 billion in funding previously allocated to states for public health, mental health and addiction initiatives – including nearly $400 million for New York. The attorneys general argue that these cuts violate federal law, jeopardize public health and will have devastating consequences for communities nationwide.
Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to immediately stop the administration from rescinding the funding and prevent the breakdown of crucial health services, according to a press release.
“The Trump administration’s illegal and irresponsible decision to claw back life-saving health funding is an attack on the well-being of millions of Americans,” said James. “Slashing this funding now will reverse our progress on the opioid crisis, throw our mental health systems into chaos and leave hospitals struggling to care for patients."
In the lawsuit, the coalition asserts that if funding is not restored, key public health programs and initiatives across the country will have to be dissolved and disbanded and thousands of health care workers will lose their jobs. The terminated funds, which were allocated by Congress at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, include $11.4 billion in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for pandemic preparedness, overdose prevention and community health programs, as well as $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for addiction treatment, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention programs.
In New York, more than $400 million in critical funding has been terminated, including over $300 million for the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Mental Health (OMH), and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and over $100 million for New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)’s infectious disease detection and surveillance work.
These cuts are already causing devastating, far-reaching consequences, James said. At least 23 public health employees have already been laid off, and further layoffs are likely. More than 200 local organizations statewide have now lost funding for their efforts to address food insecurity, mental health maternal health and more.
In addition, the DOH has been forced to halt efforts to address health disparities and shutter programs focused on LGBTQ+ and immigrant health. Funding for school immunization programs has also been cut, which could affect child vaccination rates.
New York state’s ability to manage infectious diseases, support vulnerable populations and maintain critical health infrastructure is now in jeopardy, and there are long-term risks for public health preparedness and equity, James said.
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