Public Health Funds in Question After CDC Cancels $38M to Minnesota

February 19, 2026

On February 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that it had cancelled about $38 million in public health investments for Minnesota.   

That same day, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from eliminating the funding. Minnesota Attorney General Ellison joined the attorneys general from the other targeted states (California, Colorado, and Illinois) in filing a lawsuit to maintain the funding while the lawsuit proceeds.   

The funding is from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG). The five-year grant began in 2022, and was set to expire in 2027. Nationwide, 107 health departments across all 50 states received this funding, but only Minnesota and three other states are having their funds cancelled.   

“These cuts by the federal government, and other cuts to public health funding over the past year, highlight a total disregard for promoting health and wellbeing,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD. “The ongoing cuts create an environment of chaos and confusion for communities.” 

Minnesota has been using the PHIG to strengthen Minnesota’s public health workforce; modernize its data systems; support emergency planning and response work; build public health services and capacity at the local level, especially in Greater Minnesota; enhance efficiencies and effectiveness of public health programs; and much more. 

MDH was also notified last week that the CDC cut about $250,000 in funds for the Core State Injury Prevention Program (SIPP), which supports public health infrastructure, as well as data and partnerships to identify and respond to existing and emerging injury threats with data-driven public health actions.   

Additionally, MDH is aware that the CDC has notified Congress that it plans to cut additional grants starting soon. Those grants are the Preventive Services Block Grant (PBG), as well as the HIV Surveillance and Prevention-Strengthening STD Prevention and Control for Health Departments grant. These actions further erode Minnesota’s ability to prevent and respond to a myriad of public health challenges.