The Alabama Department of Public Health will have to lay off 140 employees due to federal funding cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmimgham).
DOGE canceled $239,797,598 in federal grants to the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health this week.
Sewell said on X on Thursday, "This is the latest cut by the Trump administration, the DOGE and Elon Musk."
I just got some very troubling news. pic.twitter.com/q9exOPnWWb
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) March 27, 2025
"I just got some very troubling news that I wanted to share with you. We were just informed that the Alabama Public Health Department was informed that a $190 million CDC grant was terminated without any warning. Related to that grant was 140 full-time employees for county health departments all throughout the state of Alabama. That funding was to help prevent infectious diseases. They just found out about it on Tuesday, and the cuts were immediately effective that Monday. That means we will lose personnel in county health departments all throughout the state of Alabama. I know that the State Public Health Department is scrounging to find alternative funding," Sewell said.
In recent years, the Alabama Department of Public Health has continually increased its advertising budget with federal funds to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.
A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Public Health told 1819 News on Wednesday that the department had been expecting federal pandemic funding to be reduced or discontinued.
U.S. Rep Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) said on Thursday, "The stupidity continues, Trump just cut almost $200 MILLION from Alabama healthcare."
The stupidity continues, Trump just cut almost $200 MILLION from Alabama healthcare. Reminder: Alabama has basically the worst health outcomes in the country and this will make it worse.
— Rep. Shomari C. Figures (@repscfigures) March 27, 2025
"Reminder: Alabama has basically the worst health outcomes in the country, and this will make it worse," Figures said.
To connect with the story's author or comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
