MDH: 170 jobs cut, around 300 more 'at risk' after federal funding withdrawal
The Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday announced significant lay offs in response to the Trump administration's sudden withdrawal of $226 million in previously-approved grants to the agency.
MDH said layoff and separation notices were sent to 170 employees Tuesday. Additionally, around 300 employees were notified their jobs are "at risk" and offers were rescinded to 20 people expected to begin jobs at MDH last week.
In a statement, MDH said the federal cuts put the "public health of Minnesotans at risk."
"These layoffs and separations will impact services across the agency that Minnesotans rely on, including those that support the state's response to measles and H5N1, wastewater surveillance, the state's public health laboratory, and community clinics and vaccination efforts," the agency wrote.
MDH Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham said MDH is working to determine how much critical public health work can be saved amid the cuts.
'The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to proceed with layoffs immediately," Cunningham stated.
She continued: "It is devastating to be forced to reduce critical services and give notices to so many dedicated public health professionals because the federal government decided to renege on its commitment to our state. They left us in the lurch, with no advance notice, no close-out period, halting work that would have helped us address chronic gaps in the system and be better prepared for future threats.'
The following is a list from MDH detailing some of the impacts of the cuts:
Significantly reduced support for nursing homes, including funding for HVAC upgrades and staff training around disease prevention, as well as support for county jails and other congregate settings.
Slower response times to infectious disease outbreaks.
Immediate suspension of partner-led vaccine clinics and emergency preparedness activities.
Reduced laboratory support for hospitals and health care systems that could delay lab results and patient care.
An inability to upgrade the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection, the state's immunization information system, which means it will remain outdated.
Suspension of the INSPIRE Program, a program to get middle and high school students excited about and interested in public health.
Reduced funding for Tribal Public Health.
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