Minnesota debuts dashboard showing how federal cuts are impacting the state
Minnesota's governor on Wednesday unveiled a new dashboard that tracks how the Trump administration's slew of
federal budget cuts
are impacting the state in real time.
The
dashboard
breaks down how much money has been cut, or could be cut, and from what programs. It also includes a description of the grant and the date of action.
The dashboard is updated every weekday by the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget with the latest disruptions and cancelations due to federal cuts.
So far, it says nearly $300 million in funds have been canceled in the state and another $55 million is at risk of being canceled.
"Sweeping changes at the federal level are happening with little to no warning or public process," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. "By tracking these changes, we're doing what we can to keep Minnesotans informed on what we know and what's to come."
More than $178 million in funds have been canceled for the Minnesota Department of Health for infectious disease outbreak detection, prevention and response. Tens of millions of dollars have been pulled for
mental health
and substance abuse disorder services, including access to behavioral health care and school-based mental health services for children.
After the federal government slashed over
$220 million in grant funding
for the state's health department in late March, 170 employees were laid off and nearly 20 job offers were rescinded, according to state officials. A federal judge later
blocked the Trump administration's $11 billion in cuts to public health funding
, but it's unclear what impact that will have in Minnesota.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham says the future of many health initiatives, including vaccine distribution and health equity programs, is
uncertain amid the cuts
.
"To do this to people, and to do this to the work, and to do this to Minnesotans and Americans across the country is really concerning," she said.
Additionally,
$18 million in grants
meant to benefit Minnesota farmers, schools and food shelves were canceled before any of the funding could be distributed. The cuts to food assistance funding come as Minnesotans made a record 9 million trips to food shelves last year.
Last week, Walz
warned state agencies
to plan for any federal funds they receive to be cut.
Walz expressed concerns that the federal cuts could create huge holes in the state's budget. According to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, approximately 35% of the state's current budget — $23 billion — is from federal grants.
More than half of the federal funding the state receives goes to entitlement programs like Medicaid, which provides health care coverage for 1.2 million Minnesotans.
Minnesota Medicaid Director John Connolly said any reductions to that program would lead to
"impossible" choices
and that the state would not be able to make up the difference as it stares down a
$6 billion deficit
.
State Republicans have also expressed concerns about cuts impacting Medicaid, writing the state's Congressional delegation in February
asking them to hold the program harmless
in any budget negotiations.
Kirsten Mitchell
and
Caroline Cummings
contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
11 ICE Officers Are Stuck In A Shipping Container In Djibouti
A group of 11 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and eight migrant detainees are stuck in a shipping container in Djibouti after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting immigrants to third-party countries without due process. The group's plight was described in a filing in U.S. District Court on Thursday, where Melissa Harper, a senior ICE official overseeing deportations, said they're currently being housed in a converted shipping container on the U.S. Naval base in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. 'This has been identified as the only viable place to house the aliens,' said Harper. According to Harper, the daily temperature outside exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, Djibouti ignites burn pits near the base to dispose of trash and human waste, creating a lingering smog cloud. Upon their arrival, defense officials also warned the group 'of imminent danger of rocket attacks' from terrorist groups in nearby Yemen. Harper said members of the group have fallen ill and complained about a lack of medical equipment, including testing for what agents described as upper respiratory infections, all developed within 72 hours of landing. (The U.S. Department of Defense, which operates the base, might contest that description, having reportedly supplied the agents with Augmentin (an antibiotic), Azithromycin (another antibiotic), Doxycycline (a third antibiotic), Prednisone (steroid), inhalers, Zyrtec (treats allergies), Tylenol (pain and fever reliever), Motrin (pain reliever), Benadryl, Mucinex, Sudafed, nasal spray, and eye drops.) While showers are available to both the ICE agents and the migrants, Harper complained they're only available every other day. The three ICE officers originally assigned to the deportation flight were replaced on May 27 with an expanded team of 11 officers and two medical support staffers, who Harper said will also soon be swapped out for a fresh team. Which means the only members of the group consistently being subjected to the inhospitable conditions of Djibouti are the migrants. Trina Realmuto, an attorney for the deportees, told the Washington Post they're increasingly concerned about the conditions they're being held in, especially if they're being shackled. The detainees, who hail from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar and Vietnam, were quietly flown out of the country more than two weeks ago, violating the orders of a federal judge barring the government from deporting people to a third-party country — a nation other than the U.S. or their nation of origin — without first giving them a meaningful chance to contest it. Lawyers for the migrants said in court documents that they were given just hours before they were deported, instead of 15 days as directed by the judge. As a result, the flight, originally bound for South Sudan, instead got stuck in Djibouti. It's unclear if DHS attempted to deport the migrants to their countries of origin before settling on South Sudan. Federal law prohibits deporting migrants to countries that are unsafe or where they could be persecuted. It's also unclear why ICE would continue to subject the group to inhospitable conditions when they could simply return to the United States for the requisite hearings. The Department of Homeland Security didn't respond to a question to that effect. Instead, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughin lambasted the U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy on social media, accusing Murphy of 'putting the lives of our ICE law enforcement in danger by stranding them in Djibouti without proper resources, lack of medical care, and terrorists who hate Americans running rampant. 'Our @ICEgov officers were only supposed to transport for removal 8 *convicted criminals* with *final deportation orders* who were so monstrous and barbaric that no other country would take them. This is reprehensible and, quite frankly, pathological.' Read Harper's sworn declaration, below: Judge: U.S. Officials Must Keep Control Of Migrants Sent To South Sudan Trump Administration 'Unquestionably' Violated Deportation Order, Judge Says White House Confirms Trump Is Exploring Ways To 'Deport' U.S. Citizens People Are 'Disappearing' Since Trump Took Office. Here's What That Means.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Omada Health Shares Soar After IPO as GLP-1 Drugs Fuel Interest
Omada Health shares jumped after the company made its public-market debut, propelled by Americans' renewed focus on how weight affects physical health.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
How medical debt impacts your credit (and what you can do about it)
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're dealing with unpaid medical debt, it could hurt your credit — but there are ways to resolve the today's healthcare landscape, even a brief hospital visit can leave behind a mountain of bills. And with insurance not always covering everything — or in some cases, anything — many Americans are left grappling with medical debts they never expected to face. In 2024, about 20 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 12 adults, owed money for medical debt, according to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) survey. The impact of this type of debt can be more than financial, though. Medical debt often hits during a time of personal crisis — after an accident, illness or surgery — leaving people emotionally overwhelmed and financially vulnerable. And when those bills go unpaid, the stress can compound as collections calls start and credit scores begin to slip. For many, this debt is not the result of overspending or poor budgeting, but simply the price of getting necessary care. Luckily, recently updated credit reporting rules and a range of relief programs are starting to ease the burden for many patients. But it's still important to understand exactly how medical debt affects your credit and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Find out how to get help with your debt problems today. How medical debt impacts your credit Medical debt used to be one of the quickest ways to damage your credit score. Even small unpaid bills could end up in collections and drag down your credit for years. But relatively recent changes from the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — have shifted how this type of debt is handled. Here's what changed: Paid medical collections no longer appear on credit reports. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. There's now a one-year waiting period. Medical bills sent to collections won't be added to your credit report for 12 months, giving you time to resolve them or work out a payment plan. Smaller debts are excluded. Medical collections under $500 no longer appear on credit reports at all. These reforms mean that unpaid medical bills might not damage your credit as quickly or as severely as they once did. Still, if a large medical balance goes unresolved for too long, it can eventually show up on your report and lower your credit score, especially if you don't take action during that one-year grace period. It's also important to know that while medical debt is handled differently than credit card or loan debt, lenders don't necessarily make that distinction. A collection is a collection, and any mark on your credit report can impact your ability to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment or even land certain jobs. Explore your debt relief options with the help of an expert now. What you can do about your medical debt If you're struggling with medical debt, you have options. Taking action sooner rather than later can help you avoid collections and limit the potential damage to your credit score. Here are some strategies worth considering: Review and negotiate your bills Start by carefully reviewing every bill for errors or duplicate charges. Medical billing mistakes are surprisingly common. If something doesn't look right, call the provider or hospital's billing department and ask for an itemized statement. Once you verify the charges, see if the provider will negotiate. Many are willing to offer discounts for prompt payment, set up interest-free payment plans or even reduce what you owe if you demonstrate financial hardship. Apply for financial assistance Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs to eligible patients. If you're low-income or facing financial hardship, you may qualify for partial or full forgiveness, even if the bill has already gone to collections. Ask your provider's billing office for an application. Consider a debt relief program If your medical debt is substantial or you're juggling multiple types of unsecured debt, a debt relief program, like debt settlement, may be worth exploring. Debt settlement programs work by negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than the full amount owed. There are also debt relief programs that consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment, which can make them easier to manage. Keep in mind, however, that while debt settlement can help resolve medical collections, it may come with risks, such as fees, tax implications and temporary credit score drops, so it's important to work with a reputable provider and understand the trade-offs. Monitor your credit Your credit report should reflect any paid or settled medical debts accurately, but that may not always be the case. So, be sure to check your credit report regularly to ensure no incorrect medical collections are listed. If you spot an error, dispute it with the credit bureau directly. The bottom line Medical debt can feel uniquely unfair, as it often comes out of nowhere and hits when you're least prepared. But while it has the potential to hurt your credit, changes in how this debt is reported now offer more breathing room. You still need to act quickly and proactively, but there's a path forward even when the bills seem insurmountable. From negotiating with providers to seeking financial aid or working with a debt relief program, there are ways to tackle medical debt without wrecking your financial future. So, know your options and use the time you have before those bills end up on your credit report to tackle the issue before it compounds.
