U.S. Pulls Billions from Disease Prevention & Mental Health 

United States: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) decided to end funding valued at $12 billion which states utilized for pandemic health programs. Most legislators and state leaders condemn the decision to eliminate $12 billion in grants that funded disease tracking and mental health services with addiction treatment, as reported by Reuters. 

Public Health Programs Face Major Cuts 

The canceled funding stream provided support to track infectious diseases including bird flu and measles and operated essential mental health and substance abuse treatment programs. Officials from Lubbock Texas municipality announced the receipt of directives to stop projects involved in outbreak response after these grants were terminated.

HHS Cancels $12 Billion in COVID-Era Funding for State Health Departments

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has pulled back roughly $12 billion in federal grants that had been allocated to states during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said on March 26.

HHS… pic.twitter.com/8bZ3GCPXz2

— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) March 28, 2025

Billions Pulled from CDC and Mental Health Services 

Among the hardest-hit agencies: 

🔹 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) lost a combined $11 billion in funding. 

🔹 An additional $1 billion was cut from other public health initiatives. 

HHS defended the move, stating, “The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars responding to a non-existent pandemic.” 

State Leaders Push Back 

State officials argue the cuts will have severe consequences: 

✅ Washington state: Over $160 million lost, jeopardizing more than 200 jobs. 

✅ New York: More than $300 million slashed from health and addiction services. 

✅ Illinois: $125 million removed from public health departments focused on disease prevention. 

✅ Massachusetts: Funding used for mental health and addiction treatment now at risk. 

Public officials such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker oppose legalization because they see how it will affect families along with their home communities. 

Trump Administration’s Budget Cuts in Focus 

Since taking office on January 20, the Trump administration has aggressively cut funding across federal agencies, labeling many programs as “wasteful expenditures.” These reductions have led to workforce downsizing and the elimination of several public health programs. 

RFK Jr. Appointed to Key Health Role 

In another controversial decision, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been appointed to oversee chronic disease management within the federal public health department. His history of opposing vaccines has raised alarm among medical professionals, who fear his influence could weaken future public health efforts, as reported by Reuters. 

With critical funding now eliminated, state officials warn that disease prevention, mental health care, and addiction services could suffer nationwide.