NEW ULM — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed they have cancelled about $38 million in Minnesota public health investments as of Feb. 11.

Brown County Public Health Director Jaimee Brand said a temporary restraining order gives her department 14 days to continue using the funds.

“We budgeted to use about $40,000 of the funds in 2026,” she said. “Cancelled funds are used to support local public health staff positions, hiring, training, recruiting and retaining a well-trained workforce. Grant cuts are coming with little or no warning which causes staff disruption and frustration,” said Brand. “We are working to make sure those we serve do not feel the disruptions.”

The Public Health Infrastructure Grant termination is the latest in the federal government’s ongoing retribution (punishment) campaign against Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

The five-year grant began in 2022 and was to expire in 2027. Nationally, 107 health departments in all 50 states received the funding, but the funds were cancelled only in Minnesota and three other states (California, Colorado and Illinois.

“There is simply no need or valid justification for these targeted cuts that put Minnesotans at risk. 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 well being,” said Minnesota Commission of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ actions directly contradict their claims that they are working to make Americans healthier. They are making us less healthy, less safe and less prepared to respond to emergencies.”

The funds were being used to strengthen Minnesota’s public health workforce; modernize data systems, support emergency planning and response work; build public health services and capacity at the local level, especially in rural areas, enhance efficiencies and effectiveness of public health programs and much more, according to the MDH.

“This is not normal. Assaults like this hurt our state and make it harder for us to do our work to protect, maintain and improve the health of Minnesotans,” said Commissioner Cunningham.

On Feb. 11, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joined the attorneys general from the other targeted states in filing a lawsuit that seeks a temporary restraining order to maintain the funding while the lawsuit proceeds.

The MDH was also notified Feb. 11 that the CDC cut about $250,000 in funds for the Core State Injury Prevention Program, which supports public health infrastructure, data and partnerships to identify and respond to existing and emerging injury threats with data-driven public health actions.

The CDC also notified Congress it plans to cut additional plans this week including the Preventative Services Block Grant, HIV Surveillance and Prevention-Strengthening Prevention and Control for Health Departments grant.

A new federal law (H.R. 1) included provisions in which Minnesota counties will receive 25% less in administrative reimbursement to administer SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits as of Oct. 1, 2026. Brown County Human Services received $300,158 in administrative reimbursement in 2024 (the latest data available) but would lose about $150,079 in reimbursement in 2027 and $37,520 in the final quarter of 2027.

“There will be a key decision point for the 2027 Legislative session to determine if this loss will be made up by the state or the county (tax) levy,” said Brown County Human Services Director Anne Broskoff.

She said other concerns are increased responsibilities of county staff due to policy changes that modify eligibility rules, reporting requirements and work verification standards. County staff will conduct more case reviews, more frequent eligibility re-determinations and manual data entry/workarounds due to archaic data systems and increased client contacts.

“Just as concerning is the impact to individuals served by these important programs who may lose benefits due to missing deadlines, difficulty submitting documentation and confusion about new rules,” said Broskoff. “Revisions to eligibility criteria will likely result in a portion of current participants being found ineligible for continued benefits. There are many impacts on providers and those seeking medical care like co-payments and higher insurance costs.”