Minnesota Health Dept. Lays Off 170 After Federal Grant Cuts
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Department of Health today announced layoffs associated with recently canceled federal grants.
A news release indicates layoff and separation notices were sent to 170 employees this afternoon. The statement says "at risk" notices will also be delivered to Department of Health staff facing the risk of layoffs due to seniority rules involving layoffs.
In total, state officials say the notices are going out to an estimated 300 state employees. The Health Department says another 20 staff members who were scheduled to begin working with the agency have had their job offers rescinded.
The Trump Administration Recently Canceled Grants That Totaled More Than $220 Million
The news release states that the job reductions are "a direct consequence of the unprecedented and unexpected action by the federal government last week to cut more than $220 million in previously approved federal funding."
“We are working now to figure out how much of this critical public health work we can save and continue,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to proceed with layoffs immediately. 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.”
State officials say the loss of the federal funding will impact the state's response to measles, the bird flu outbreak, wastewater surveillance, the public health laboratory, vaccination efforts, and community clinics.
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