This week, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) canceled $239,797,598 in federal grants to the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health.
According to a list of terminated federal grants on DOGE's website, the Alabama Department of Mental Health had $23,561,234 worth of federal grants canceled, and the Alabama Department of Public Health had $216,236,344 worth of federal grants canceled.
DOGE's site did not specify what the grants were used for. However, DOGE listed the cancellation date of the federal grants as March 23.
A spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Public Health didn't comment on specifics about the canceled grants but told 1819 News on Wednesday they were expecting federal pandemic funding to be reduced or discontinued.
"The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has been expecting COVID-19 funding to be reduced or discontinued as the pandemic declines. ADPH has already made a number of staffing and budget adjustments to accommodate changes in funding. In light of this information, ADPH will continue to review its plans and take measures to protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Alabama. This is the information that ADPH can provide, at the moment, related to these changes," Arrol Sheehan, a spokeswoman for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said.
A spokeswoman for the Alabama Department of Mental Health didn't respond to a request for comment.
State Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range), chairman of the Senate General Fund Budget committee, told 1819 News he wasn't aware of DOGE's federal grant cancellations.
"What my understanding is from listening to the national reports is that they're looking for money that has not been disbursed yet that has no bearing. In other words, if there was such an emergency but we haven't spent it yet, and it's been four or five years now, 'let's get the money back' type thing. That may be part of what's going on. This may occur with several things, and the concern I have is whether these agencies handled it correctly or if they spent it on something else," Albritton said.
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