Governor Shapiro sues Trump administration for canceling $500M in health funding

(WHTM) — Governor Josh Shapiro is joining a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, saying $500 million in health funding for Pennsylvania was canceled.

The Shapiro administration says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified the Commonwealth that the CDC was abruptly terminating funding for health grants.

The Shapiro administration says the grant money is owed to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), Human Services (DHS), Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), and programs that work to prevent the spread of Avian Flu and measles.

Funding was also designated for mental health and substance abuse services, long-term care, and ensuring access to immunizations.

“The federal government broke its half-billion-dollar contract with the Commonwealth and as a result of this unlawful action, is undermining our ability to protect the health of Pennsylvania’s children and families,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “It is my job to defend the taxpayers of this Commonwealth, and this is funding owed to the people of Pennsylvania. But the Trump Administration abruptly canceled congressionally appropriated federal funding that supports critical Pennsylvania-based initiatives like infectious disease prevention, long-term care for our seniors, and immunizations for children. When I sign a legally binding agreement, I follow through with it – and with today’s action, I’m just asking our federal government to do the same.”

The lawsuit alleges $11 billion “of critical public health funding” was terminated across the country.

The lawsuit is co-led by Colorado, Rhode Island, California, Minnesota, and Washington and joined by Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

The Shapiro administration sued the Trump administration in February over the freezing of $1.2 billion. Last month, Shapiro and State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding filed an appeal with the USDA over the termination of the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program.