Washington state officials are grappling with major public health setbacks after the federal government abruptly slashed over $12 billion in health grants nationwide. The state Department of Health says it stands to lose between $130 and $140 million in funding, significantly affecting key vaccination and outreach programs.
Lacy Fehrenbach, Chief of Prevention, Safety, and Health at the Washington State Department of Health, called the cuts a “devastating blow” during a press briefing on Monday. “This kind of sudden change has wide-reaching consequences,” she said, emphasizing the damage to health infrastructure and access to care.
The canceled grants were part of a `series of federal investments that began during the early COVID-19 response and helped support epidemiology labs, mobile immunization efforts, and health equity programs. Due to the funding halt, approximately 226 full-time employees are now out of work, according to Fehrenbach.
Legal Challenge and Statewide Fallout
Washington is now among 24 states challenging the cuts in court. Attorney General Nick Brown announced the state’s participation in a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, stating, “Preventable diseases don’t make a country healthier. These cuts will only worsen our public health crisis.”
One of the largest blows came from the elimination of funding for epidemiology and laboratory capacity, a grant that had $118 million remaining and supported 150 positions focused on disease surveillance and outbreak response. Funding for immunization efforts was also rescinded, resulting in the loss of the Care-a-Van mobile vaccine clinics and 46 employee layoffs. That program had about $20 million left.
Other affected initiatives include:
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Health Disparities Programs: About $3 million in funds meant to close COVID-related gaps in care for communities of color have been pulled.
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Care Connect Program: Once used to support people isolating due to COVID, it had evolved into a broader assistance platform connecting residents to unemployment aid, housing, and health insurance. Around $1.5 million was cut, and two staffers were laid off.
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Public Health Evaluation Work: Another $1.5 million aimed at information sharing and assessment was also rescinded.
Fehrenbach said the department had expected the grants to last through the end of June, with possible extensions, making the sudden cancellation even more disruptive.
Impact on King County
Public Health – Seattle & King County is also facing the brunt of the funding withdrawal. Dr. Faisal Khan, the department’s director, warned that at least 45 community health workers could lose their jobs. Speaking at a press conference hosted by Sen. Patty Murray, Khan said, “We’re not just shutting off programs — we’re dismantling the system we’ve built to protect communities.”
King County has lost over $3 million in grant funding that supported asthma prevention, toxic exposure monitoring in children, and other health programs. Kate Cole, a spokesperson for the department, said the real toll could be even higher due to its dependence on DOH sub-grants.
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“These cuts won’t just impact services — they’ll result in real harm,” Cole said. “We’re looking at more illness, higher health costs, and diminished readiness for future outbreaks.”
Already, the Care-a-Van was forced to cancel a planned clinic at a YWCA event in Seattle. That mobile unit had more than 100 upcoming events scheduled through June, including 35 stops at schools. Since July 2024, it has delivered over 16,000 vaccines — including thousands of shots for COVID, flu, and childhood illnesses like measles and polio.
Beyond vaccines, the vans also provided essential health screenings and distributed naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses.
Next Steps and Concerns
Despite the setbacks, Fehrenbach says the department is committed to finding alternative ways to serve at-risk populations. “We’re exploring all options to fill these access gaps, but the challenges are immense,” she said, without detailing potential funding replacements.
Khan echoed the alarm over what he sees as a dangerous trend. “What we’re witnessing is the piecemeal dismantling of a public health safety net that took decades to build.”
Though many childhood vaccines remain available through community health centers and pharmacies, experts warn that outreach to underserved and remote populations may decline sharply without mobile services.
As federal health funding dries up, state leaders are left scrambling to preserve essential public health services while warning of long-term consequences that may ripple through communities for years to come.
