The federal government has announced cuts of almost $7 million in Covid-19-related grants to two departments in the Vermont Agency of Human Services. These cuts will impact vaccination programs at the health department and mental health services provided by the Department of Mental Health. The grants were initially started during the pandemic but have continued to support crucial public health work in the state. The Department of Health has expressed concern over the negative impact these sudden cuts will have on public health in Vermont, including detecting and preventing infectious diseases and addressing health disparities.
The Department of Mental Health also projected losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, affecting community-based support, crisis response, and access to care for vulnerable Vermonters. One specific program that provided early treatment for psychosis to young Vermonters may be impacted by the funding cuts. The departments are still assessing the full implications of the cuts, as these changes are part of broader shifts in federal health-related spending.
This announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to lay off 10,000 workers and shut down certain agencies within the department. The reduction in funding for these critical public health programs highlights the challenges faced by states in maintaining essential services while navigating changes at the federal level.
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