HEALTH

Columbus sues Trump administration health funding cuts

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court over

Columbus sues Trump administration health funding cuts


COLUMBUS, Ohio — The City of Columbus has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in federal court over the $11.4 billion in funding cuts to infectious disease programs.


What You Need To Know

  • Columbus Public Health was set to receive $3.1 million
  • Because of not receiving this funding, CPH had to fire workers and take away from other programs
  • The city said it directly affects infectious disease investigations, which comes at a time of measles outbreaks
  • It also affects an initiative aimed at decreasing infant mortality

The funding that was cut had already been approved by Congress to be distributed to public health institutions. Columbus Public Health was set to receive $3.1 million. 

Because of the cuts, CPH have to fire 11 infection disease workers. That means only 11 employees remain in infectious disease investigations.

The city said it comes at a time where measles cases are on the rise in Ohio.

“These federal cuts have very real – potentially lethal – consequences in our city,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. “We are taking action to sustain the equitable access to healthcare and disease prevention measures that our residents need and deserve.”

The city added the cut in funding at a local level is threatening the availability of immunizations for children, and it’s making it harder for health departments to plan for emergencies, as well as respond to outbreaks impacting children and vulnerable populations.

“The Trump administration’s termination of billions of dollars in infectious disease funding is both dangerous and unconstitutional,” said Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. “The City cannot stay quiet on the sidelines as extremists within this administration continue to defy the Constitution and recklessly endanger the health and safety of our children and the public. That’s why we’re in the arena fighting to see this funding released as Congress intended—so that health departments can do their jobs and prevent needless deaths of children and our most vulnerable from outbreaks of deadly diseases like measles.”

The lawsuit alleges the move violates the U.S Constitution by terminating funds appropriated by Congress. The city also claims in the lawsuit that the actions violate the Department of Health and Human Services’ own regulations in terms of canceling grants. 

Along with firing workers, the city said the cuts also eliminate $100,000 for the CelebrateOne initiative, which works to decrease infant mortality and improve mental health. It also affects more than $3 million for support of infectious disease intervention operations.

“This funding helped us respond quickly to infectious disease outbreaks like measles and mpox. Without the 11 staff funded by the grant, we no longer have the staff to respond proactively to infectious disease outbreaks in vulnerable locations like schools and long-term care facilities, impacting our ability to protect residents’ health,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts.

Other areas are joining Columbus in the lawsuit, including Kansas City, Nashville and Harris County in Texas.

Additionally, in early April, attorneys general from 23 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration, also over the $11 billion in funding cuts. 



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