The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has pulled back over $11.4 billion in COVID-19 grants from states across America. This massive funding cut affects health departments, universities, and community organizations that received money during the pandemic.
Federal Government Takes Back $11.4 Billion in COVID-19 Grants From States
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is tracking these savings as part of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts. HHS Director Andrew Nixon stated that the COVID-19 pandemic is over and taxpayer money should not be wasted on non-existent threats.
Which States Lost the Most Money
Texas faced the biggest loss with $877 million in terminated grants from its Department of State Health Services. Florida lost $482 million in public health funding that supported various COVID-related programs.
California had more than $709 million cut from pandemic-related health grants according to state officials. Other affected states include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Colorado, Minnesota, and Washington.
What This Money Was Used For
The terminated grants supported COVID-19 testing programs in communities across the country. Vaccination services for high-risk populations also relied heavily on this federal funding.
Community health workers helped connect people to healthcare resources using grant money. Programs addressing health disparities in minority and rural communities face elimination.
How DOGE Tracks the Savings
The Department of Government Efficiency posts all terminated grants on its “wall of receipts” website. Over 1,285 grant terminations under HHS were listed on March 23, 2025.
Some cancelled grants reached up to $877 million in value for single recipients. The DOGE website shows $7.5 billion in cancelled grants going to states and major cities.
State Reactions and Legal Challenges
Officials Express Concerns
Colorado’s Department of Public Health warned that sudden funding loss threatens disease tracking abilities. The state worries about responding to emerging diseases and outbreak investigations without federal support.
Minnesota’s Department of Health called the change “unprecedented” after $226 million in grants were terminated. Officials said they usually receive adequate notice to secure alternative funding sources.
Legal Action Against Funding Cuts
23 states and Washington D.C. filed a lawsuit to reverse the cancelled CDC grants on April 1st. Federal Judge Mary McElroy issued a temporary restraining order requiring grants to remain in place.
The legal challenge continues with the next court hearing scheduled for April 17th. States argue the sudden cuts violate existing agreements and threaten public health safety.
What Health Departments Are Saying
Mesa County Public Health in Colorado investigated the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in 2024. This agency shows how local health departments serve as early warning systems for disease outbreaks.
Fresno County’s public health director said his health disparities grant was terminated on Monday. The money helped build community trust and connect people with healthcare resources.
Impact on Different Health Programs
Disease Surveillance Gets Hit Hard
Los Angeles County faces losing over $45 million in core public health funding. This money supports disease surveillance, lab services, and outbreak investigations at healthcare facilities.
Data transparency efforts and infection control activities will be reduced without federal support. Health departments worry about missing early signs of new disease threats.
Vaccination Programs Face Cuts
Childhood vaccination programs in several states rely on terminated grant funding. Community outreach for vaccines among underserved populations will be reduced.
The CDC told grant recipients that vaccination services will likely be terminated as well. This affects both COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunization programs.
Research and Universities Affected
Universities and research centers lost over $1 billion in grant funding according to DOGE. Columbia University, Duke University, UCLA, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center face significant cuts.
The Research Triangle Institute and International Fertility Research Program had major grants cancelled. These cuts affect research into antiviral drugs and pandemic preparedness.
Long-Term Health Consequences
Future Pandemic Preparedness
Public health experts worry about America’s ability to respond to future pandemics without this infrastructure. The terminated grants helped build, expand, train, and sustain public health workforces.
Disease monitoring systems and data collection capabilities may be weakened by funding cuts. Early detection of new health threats could become more difficult.
Ongoing COVID-19 Impact
Despite official statements that the pandemic is over, hundreds of people still die weekly from COVID-19. Long COVID symptoms continue causing medical problems for many Americans.
Over 1.2 million Americans have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began five years ago. Health advocates argue continued monitoring and support remain necessary.
Health Equity Concerns
Programs addressing racial and ethnic health disparities face elimination without grant funding. Rural communities and underserved populations may lose access to healthcare resources.
Community health workers who help navigate the healthcare system for vulnerable groups will be cut. These workers provide vaccine education and help people understand their health insurance.
Federal Government’s Position
Administration’s Justification
HHS officials argue that COVID-19 grants are no longer necessary since the pandemic has ended. They want to redirect resources toward chronic disease prevention and Make America Healthy Again initiatives.
The federal public health emergency officially ended on May 11, 2023, supporting the administration’s position. Officials say taxpayer money should focus on current health priorities.
Budget Cutting Strategy
The Trump administration terminated 68 additional health grants focused on HIV prevention, cancer, and LGBTQ+ health programs. These cuts are part of broader government spending reduction efforts.
DOGE leadership celebrates these savings as evidence of successful cost-cutting measures. The department plans to continue identifying unnecessary federal spending.
What Happens Next
Court Proceedings Continue
The temporary restraining order keeps terminated grants active until legal proceedings conclude. State attorneys general are working to permanently restore the funding.
Federal judges will decide whether the grant terminations violate existing agreements with states. The outcome could affect how the federal government handles future funding changes.
State Adaptation Strategies
Some states are exploring alternative funding sources to replace lost federal grants. State budgets may need adjustment to maintain essential public health services.
Local health departments are prioritizing which programs to continue with reduced resources. Community partnerships may become more important for maintaining health services.
FAQs
Q: How much money did the CDC take back from states? The CDC terminated $11.4 billion in COVID-19 grants to states, cities, and organizations nationwide.
Q: Which state lost the most funding?
Texas lost the largest amount with $877 million in terminated grants from its health department.
Q: Why did the federal government cut this funding?
Officials say the COVID-19 pandemic is over and the grants are no longer necessary for taxpayer spending.
Q: What services will be affected by these cuts?
COVID-19 testing, vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and community health worker programs face reductions.
Q: Are states taking legal action?
Yes, 23 states and Washington D.C. filed a lawsuit and received a temporary restraining order to keep grants active.
Q: Will this affect future pandemic preparedness?
Health experts worry that reduced funding will weaken America’s ability to detect and respond to new health threats.
Q: How does DOGE track these savings?
The Department of Government Efficiency posts terminated grants on its website showing over 1,285 cancelled programs.
Q: Are people still dying from COVID-19?
Yes, hundreds of Americans still die weekly from COVID-19 despite the official end of the pandemic emergency.
Q: What happens to university research programs?
Universities lost over $1 billion in research funding, affecting studies on antiviral drugs and pandemic preparedness.
Q: When will the legal case be decided?
Court hearings continue with the next session scheduled for April 17th to determine if grants will be permanently restored.