Dear MPHA Members and Friends,
On February 11th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancelled a $38 million award to Minnesota for the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) program, which was planned to continue through 2027. Minnesota, along with Colorado, Illinois, and California is facing this CDC grant cancellation by the Trump administration.
We encourage you to:
- Listen (if you haven't yet) to this MPR show “How federal public health funding cuts could affect Minnesota”, February 18, 2026: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2026/02/18/how-federal-public-health-funding-cuts-could-affect-minnesota. The interview aired yesterday on Minnesota Public Health Radio’s Angela Davis show, featuring guests Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Minnesota Department of Health, and Chera Sevcik, Executive Director of Health and Human Services for Faribault and Martin counties in southern Minnesota (and MPHA 2024 Award Recipient!).
- Read the background information on potential public health funding cuts for our state, below.
- Contact your federal lawmakers to share your examples about the impacts these cuts will have in your department and how it will impact the community. (Find out Who Represents Me?)
- Educate your personal network about the important role of public health and describe the potential impact of these cuts in your local community through social media or in conversation.
Standing Up for Public Health Funding
The Minnesota Public Health Association is deeply concerned that this abrupt gap in federal public health funding will have detrimental consequences for the health of Minnesotans, both now and in the future. These terminations are part of a broader effort affecting multiple streams of federal public health funding, including the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), Core State Injury Prevention Program (Core SIPP), Preventive Services Block Grant (PBG), HIV Surveillance, and STD Prevention grants.
The abrupt termination of these funds will directly and immediately impact the work of multiple programs within the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as well as the work of local health agencies, tribal public health and community partners who receive funds from these awards through MDH. MPHA believes that a strong public health system includes a robust public health workforce, effective programs for urban and rural communities, and efficient data systems. These necessities, among others, are weakened by this retraction of planned funds from the CDC.
On February 12, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted the states’ emergency motion for a temporary restraining order (TRO). Following a status hearing on February 18, the court extended the TRO through March 12, 2026, while the case proceeds.
MPHA continues to monitor for further actions of grant terminations that impact our public health infrastructure and effectiveness. We acknowledge the increased strain of funding uncertainties across our field, and in the communities they serve. These increased burdens are in addition to existing high demands of regular public health work for many of our colleagues.
MPHA recognizes the urgency of restoring public health funding not only for Minnesotans, but all Americans. We know that health and disease does not stop at state lines.
We will watch this situation closely and notify you, our MPHA members, when there are important times for us to raise our collective voice in support of public health.
In Health,
MPHA
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