North Carolina attorney general sues federal government over $230M in health funding cuts
NORTH CAROLINA (WLOS) — Attorney General Jeff Jackson has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, challenging its decision to cut more than $230 million in healthcare funding for North Carolina.
This comes after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the termination of over $11 billion in healthcare funding across the country.
24 STATES SUE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR CUTTING $11 BILLION IN PUBLIC HEALTH GRANTS
According to a release from Jackson's office, these funding cuts would severely impact the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, local/county public health departments and community-based organizations. A significant funding loss such as this could lead to the termination of public health programs and layoffs.
Jackson's office said these cuts would significantly impact the following:
- At least 77 of North Carolina's 86 local health departments
- Community health workers and organizations in western North Carolina, who continue to provide care to residents impacted by Hurricane Helene
- County nurses who investigate disease outbreaks
- Infection control data
- Infectious disease response in high-risk environments (nursing homes and assisted living facilities)
- Prevention and control of the spread of infections
- EMS programs in six counties (Davie, Durham, Gaston, Surry, Orange and Cumberland counties)
- Substance use disorder treatment programs
- Substance misuse recovery programs throughout North Carolina colleges and universities
LAYOFFS BEGIN AT US HEALTH AGENCIES IN EFFORT TO 'STREAMLINE' HHS
Jackson released a statement on the matter:
"My job is to be a shield for the people of North Carolina - and that includes protecting their health care. The federal government can’t just cancel nearly a quarter billion dollars that have already been congressionally allocated to our state. It’s unlawful – and dangerous. That money supports rural hospitals, healthcare workers, emergency services, and public health programs that protect seniors and families across North Carolina. There are legal ways to improve how tax dollars are used, but this wasn’t one of them. Immediately halting critical health care programs across the state without legal authority isn’t just wrong - it puts lives at risk. That's why we're going to court."
Jackson joins 21 other attorney generals and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in this lawsuit.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it would release over 10,000 workers from their positions. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Kr. said this aims to make the department "more efficient and more effective," per a video he posted on X.
Kennedy Jr. said this move aims to "improve the health of the entire nation" and "Make America Healthy Again."
This also comes after Dr. Peter Marks, a top vaccine official for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), resigned his position. Marks denounced Kennedy for his "misinformation and lies" in a letter obtained by the Associated Press.
