During the coronavirus pandemic, states received funding from the federal government to boost their fight against the disease, leading to a surge in staffing for tasks like contact tracing and vaccinations. However, as federal grants sunset, states like Montana, California, and Washington are facing budget cuts and layoffs in their public health departments, which could jeopardize vital services. Public health experts warn that losing staff could lead to crises in communities. The pandemic cash helped some small health departments stay afloat but was not enough to hire additional workers. Rural health departments, in particular, are vulnerable to budget cuts and layoffs.
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Public Health Departments Face a Post-Covid Funding Crash
