Health Clinics Face Cuts, Closures as Trump’s Funding Fight Ripples Outside of Washington
Disruption Continues Despite Judge’s Ruling
Across the country, health clinics and nonprofit organizations serving rural and low-income patients have found themselves unable to access previously allocated federal funds, as a short-lived government funding freeze has continued to disrupt daily operations for a range of programs.
The disruption appears to stem from a vaguely worded, two-page memo the Office of Management and Budget sent to all federal agencies early last week directing them to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance” that could conflict with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Impact on Health Clinics
Community health centers, also known as federally qualified health centers, rely on federal grants for part of their funding in order to provide medical care, dental, behavioral health, and substance use disorder services to more than 32 million Americans. That makes for 1 in 5 rural Americans and 1 in 3 people living in poverty, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers.
In Virginia, 11 of the state’s 31 community health center operators were still unable to access their funding as of Thursday morning, said Joe Stevens, a spokesperson for the Virginia Community Healthcare Association. One of those providers has had to close three of its clinics in Richmond and has been directing patients to its other locations. Another clinic in rural southwestern Virginia is at risk of cutting back services or closing if its funding doesn’t come through in the next two weeks, said Stevens.
Delays and Disruptions
Several clinics in Maine, Nebraska, Illinois, and Michigan have also been unable to draw down funds from the federally run website they use to access the money, according to Advocates for Community Health, an advocacy group for community health centers.
In Mississippi, Delta Health Center, which operates clinics across the Mississippi Delta region, is waiting for nearly $500,000 in federal funds to be released to reimburse its clinics for expenses, including salaries. If the money isn’t made available soon, the clinics may be faced with a “potential disruption of services,” said Robin Boyles, chief programming planning and development officer of Delta Health Center.
Nonprofits Also Affected
The disruptions have stretched beyond health clinics to nonprofits that provide mental health and other supportive services. In West Virginia, the nonprofit organization Libera has been unable to access funds from an HHS grant to help pay for mental health support groups and resources for middle school girls, said Karen Haring, Libera’s executive director.
Conclusion
The ongoing disruption in federal funding has caused significant uncertainty and anxiety for health clinics and nonprofit organizations serving rural and low-income patients. While some organizations have been able to access their funds, many others are still waiting for reimbursement, and the uncertainty is causing them to make difficult decisions about their operations.
FAQs
Q: What is the cause of the disruption in federal funding?
A: The disruption appears to stem from a vaguely worded, two-page memo the Office of Management and Budget sent to all federal agencies early last week directing them to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance” that could conflict with President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Q: How many health clinics are affected by the disruption?
A: According to Advocates for Community Health, several clinics in Maine, Nebraska, Illinois, and Michigan have been unable to draw down funds from the federally run website they use to access the money.
Q: What is the impact of the disruption on health clinics?
A: The disruption is causing significant uncertainty and anxiety for health clinics, which rely on federal grants for part of their funding. Many clinics are unable to access their funds, and the uncertainty is causing them to make difficult decisions about their operations.
Q: What is being done to resolve the issue?
A: The Office of Management and Budget has rescinded the memo directing the funding freeze, and the Justice Department has said in a filing that agencies are working through the process of issuing all appropriate funding disbursements. However, many organizations are still waiting for reimbursement, and the uncertainty is causing them to make difficult decisions about their operations.
