Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Cutting COVID-19 Funds
A federal judge will temporarily block President Donald Trump’s administration from cutting billions in federal dollars that support COVID-19 initiatives and public health projects throughout the country.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy, appointed by Trump in 2019 but first nominated by former President Barack Obama, in Rhode Island said Thursday that she plans to grant the court order sought by 23 states and the District of Columbia.
The Court’s Decision
“They make a case, a strong case, for the fact that they will succeed on the merits, so I’m going to grant the temporary restraining order,” said McElroy, who plans to issue a written ruling later.
New York Attorney General Letitia James tweeted about the judge’s decision immediately after the hearing, saying: “We’re going to continue our lawsuit and fight to ensure states can provide the medical services Americans need.”
States’ Lawsuit
The states’ lawsuit, filed Tuesday, sought to immediately stop the $11 billion in cuts. The money was allocated by Congress during the pandemic and mostly used for COVID-related initiatives, as well as for mental health and substance use efforts.
The lawsuit said losing the money would devastate U.S. public health infrastructure, putting states “at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease and cutting off vital public health services.”
Response from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has defended the decision, saying that the money was being wasted since the pandemic is over.
Impact on States
State and local public health departments already have laid off people, including nearly 200 employees at the Minnesota Department of Health. North Carolina says it stands to lose about $230 million, and California officials put their potential losses at $1 billion.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is also part of the lawsuit, said half a billion dollars in public health grants that support long-term care for the elderly and immunizations for children were at stake in his state.
“As a result of taking the Administration to court, these dollars will now start flowing again,” he wrote on X.
Latest Development in a Series of Lawsuits
The temporary block on chopping health funding is the latest legal setback for the Trump administration, which is facing some 150 lawsuits on issues ranging from immigration to deep financial and job cuts at federal agencies to transgender rights. Federal judges have issued dozens of orders slowing — at least for now — the president’s conservative agenda.
Breaking News
An individual who spent time in the county on April 10 and 11 has tested positive for measles, officials say.
The infected person mostly stayed home during the contagious period, but may have exposed some in medical waiting rooms.
It’s hard to say how long the outbreak will last. But experts worry that “from a public health view, we are going backwards.”
Conclusion
The federal judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from cutting COVID-19 funds is a significant development in the ongoing debate over public health funding. The decision will have a major impact on states and local public health departments, which have already begun to feel the effects of the funding cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the federal judge’s decision?
A: The federal judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from cutting COVID-19 funds is significant because it will allow states and local public health departments to continue to receive funding for COVID-19 initiatives and public health projects.
Q: How much money is at stake?
A: The lawsuit sought to immediately stop the $11 billion in cuts. The money was allocated by Congress during the pandemic and mostly used for COVID-related initiatives, as well as for mental health and substance use efforts.
Q: What is the impact on states and local public health departments?
A: State and local public health departments have already begun to feel the effects of the funding cuts, with some departments laying off employees and cutting back on services. The decision will allow these departments to continue to receive funding and provide essential services to their communities.
Q: What is the response from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services?
A: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has defended the decision to cut funding, saying that the money was being wasted since the pandemic is over.
