The Oregon Health Authority announced that $117 million in federal money for state health programs in Oregon has been canceled by the Trump administration, a decision that will harm Oregonians across the state.

“Now that the pandemic is over, the grants and cooperative agreements are no longer necessary as their limited purpose has run out," read notices of termination. The clawed-back funds were based on use for Covid testing, vaccination, community health workers and initiatives to address Covid health disparities among high-risk and underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minority populations and rural communities, as well as global Covid projects, according to CDC leadership.

Oregon is using the terminated grants to fund a variety of services, including: public health clinics working on immunization disbursement, training and education; Oregon's 988 crisis hotline; substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery services; OHA's Public Health Equity Office, which provides technical assistance and training to community-based organizations; and communicable disease surveillance and testing capacity.

Oregon delayed distribution of funds, particularly to schools, warning not to use it to enhance ongoing services that would increase ongoing budgeting. Now it appears OHA has been deerlick in not depending on temporary funding for permanent programs.

These COVID-era grants through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) were ended more than a year earlier than expected, which will cause disruptions within OHA and for the people these programs serve.

"Federal spending cuts will hurt Oregonians," said Sen. Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. "This administration is taking a chainsaw to critical programs that Oregonians rely on to keep us safe and healthy. "

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

"Oregon's budget is designed to leverage federal funds to help as many Oregonians as possible. If the federal administration chooses to end funding, we will struggle to be able to continue these services," said Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. "We will work through this session to protect core services despite the unprecedented actions from the federal administration.”

Oregon received a warning that the Trump Administration means business. The legislature has still not taken steps against losing education funds and eliminating DEI from the curriculum, or stop males from participating in female sports, which is under federal investigation. Nothing is being done to change sanctuary state protections, but instead, they propose to extend sanctuary status to sex criminals.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-03-29 13:52:34

Last Update: 2025-03-29 20:47:28