23 states and D.C. sue Trump administration over HHS funding cuts

23 states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration over the Health and Human Services Department, cutting billions of dollars in funding

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was pulling back $11.4 billion in COVID funding allocated to local and state health departments to fund COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and other pandemic-related health concerns

The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and HHS will no longer waste billions of taxpayer dollars

responding to a non-existent pandemic that Americans moved on from years ago

HHS Director of Communications Andrew Nixon said in a statement. The 23 states and D.C. argue the funds were previously allocated for public health

mental health, and addiction initiatives, according to a news release from New York Attorney General Letitia James

In the lawsuit filed in a federal court in Rhode Island the plaintiffs argue the termination of the funding violates federal law jeopardizes public health and will have devastating consequences for communities nationwide Slashing this funding now will reverse our

progress on the opioid crisis, throw our mental health systems into chaos, and leave

hospitals struggling to care for patients. My office is taking immediate action to stop this

heartless and short-sighted move and ensure these life-saving programs remain intact. A.G. James said in a

statement. The lawsuit also states key public health programs will be canceled and thousands of

health care workers will lose their jobs. HHS told multiple news outlets that it doesn't comment on

pending litigation. In a separate move, the Department of Health and Human Services began laying

off workers Tuesday morning. The agency announced last week it was laying off about 10,000 full-time

workers to save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Taylor. For more on

story, download the straight arrow news app or visit sAN.com