HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut has joined 23 other states and Washington, D.C., in filing a lawsuit to stop the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services from rescinding more than $11 billion in public health funding.
The state stands to lose $175 million if the cuts go into effect.
The lawsuit targets federal funds originally allocated for pandemic-related programs. The Trump administration has argued the funding is no longer necessary with the COVID-19 emergency declared over.
However, Connecticut officials say the grants also cover disease surveillance, newborn screening, and behavioral health programs.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced the legal action during a press event at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, where several Democratic leaders joined him to denounce the cuts.
They characterized the funding rollback as harmful to essential services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Connecticut Republicans pushed back on the criticism. GOP leaders questioned whether the funding was ever guaranteed and said the lawsuit is a political tactic designed to stir public concern over hypothetical losses. Republican lawmakers also noted that Medicaid and other federal assistance programs have not yet been impacted.
According to the lawsuit, the administration overstepped its legal authority by attempting to rescind funding already approved by Congress.
The suit also points to constitutional limits on executive power, arguing that only Congress can control the allocation of federal funds.
