US health funding paused amid winter storm preparations
As public health departments across the United States braced for a major winter storm, they received notification that critical grant funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been paused, halting all spending. This abrupt communication prompted immediate concern among local health officials, reports BritPanorama.
Shortly after the notice, a spokesperson from the US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to CNN that the funding pause had been lifted. However, grant recipients indicated they were still awaiting direct communication from HHS about the matter.
Dr. Phil Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, expressed frustration at the disruption, stating, “It’s just more chaos, more uncertainty. It just interferes with our ability to provide these public health services to our community.” Despite the temporary halt, HHS clarified that no grants had been terminated.
The funding was paused to enable the implementation of a new review process aimed at ensuring that the funds are aligned with agency priorities and intended uses. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, ensuring they are allocated appropriately.
According to the CDC, these grants support health departments across all 50 states, Washington, DC, eight territories, and 48 large localities. By the end of December 2025, $5.1 billion had been allocated, funding critical operations such as lab testing and emergency preparedness, as well as public health employment.
The funding pause followed previous cuts to Covid-era funding that state and local governments faced last year. Huang noted that the Dallas County grant of over $2 million was vital for disease investigation systems and vaccination management, among other essential activities.
While health officials maintained that spending tracking systems were in place to ensure the proper use of funds, the recent pause and quick reversal drew parallels to earlier funding disruptions during the Trump administration, particularly regarding mental health and substance abuse grants.
Chrissie Juliano, executive director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, remarked that while the short pause would not lead to immediate concerns, it nonetheless creates a chaotic environment amid other pressing issues. It raises doubts about the reliability of expected funding, especially when public health agencies already strive to respond to local needs.
Juliano stated, “It takes people away from preparing for helping people in the middle of a winter storm. It makes people question what’s coming next. Which shoe is going to drop, and what program is going to be cut?”
Experts emphasized that the Public Health Infrastructure Grant funds were designed as a significant long-term investment in workforce capacity. Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, warned that freezing these funds could lead to rapid layoffs in health departments, undermining public health responsibilities.
Castrucci highlighted the critical nature of public health operations, stating, “Not investing in public health infrastructure after the pandemic is like defunding the military after losing a war. It’s just not smart.”
