Four States Sue Over Cuts to Public Health Funding

Four states led by Democrats sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, seeking to block deep cuts in federal public health funds that had already been allocated. The Department of Health and Human Services told Congress it planned to pull back roughly $600 million allocated to California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota.

Some of the grants were aimed at helping specific populations, often communities of color or gay and bisexual men. The lawsuit says the move was illegal, based on political animus, and would 'irreparably harm the states.' The attorneys general filed for a temporary restraining order to block the cuts.

'President Trump is resorting to a familiar playbook,' said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. 'He is using federal funding to compel states and jurisdictions to follow his agenda,' he added. An H.H.S. spokesman said the grants had been terminated 'because they do not reflect agency priorities.' The grants were intended to help states hire workers, modernize data systems and manage disease outbreaks.

United States, California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota

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