Kentucky is at risk of losing $148.8 million in funding for childhood vaccines, suicide prevention, community health workers, and addiction treatment services after the Trump administration announced plans to cancel the state’s COVID-19 healthcare grants.
A spokesperson for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services said these cuts would delay childhood vaccine orders and biennial provider re-enrollment.
Additionally, key vaccination outreach, education, and mobile services in rural and underserved areas would be eliminated.
“Most of the funds go to local health departments across Kentucky and Community Mental Health Centers, as well as other local community partners,” said spokesperson Kendra Steele in an email.
The funding loss will also impact the Purple Star Program, which supports military-connected children, as well as addiction treatment services.
Grants for developing community health workers, staffing youth drop-in centers, and operating call centers for the 988 suicide prevention hotline would also be affected.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced the cancellation of approximately $11.4 billion in COVID-19-related funding nationwide, arguing that the pandemic is over.
However, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear disputes the decision, stating it is not a valid reason to terminate a contract. He indicated he may challenge the funding cuts.
“These are promises made by the federal government, and they help ensure we have more staff at health clinics,” Beshear said.
“Congress passed laws appropriating these funds, and an executive cannot simply cancel them.”
The nationwide cuts include funding for infectious disease tracking, mental health services, and addiction treatment.
Officials under new Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labeled the spending a “waste,” claiming that Americans have moved on from the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent crisis,” the federal health department stated in its termination notice.
Beshear also raised concerns about the layoffs of 10,000 federal health workers, calling it a “really bad idea” amid ongoing national health crises, including bird flu and a significant measles outbreak, one case of which has already been confirmed in a Kentucky adult.
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