(KNSI) — On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health said it issued layoff and separation notices to 170 employees whose positions were funded by recently terminated federal grants, and more could be coming.
“At risk” notices were also sent to staff facing layoffs due to seniority rules. In total, approximately 300 MDH employees received notices. Nearly 20 new hires who were set to begin work last week also had their job offers rescinded.
The layoffs stem from the federal government’s abrupt decision last week to slash over $220 million in previously approved funding. As a result, MDH officials say the cuts include reduced support for nursing homes, disease prevention training, and assistance for congregate living settings, slower infectious disease outbreak response due to staffing reductions, and the immediate suspension of partner-led vaccine clinics and emergency preparedness initiatives.
Officials say there will also be delays in lab support for hospitals and health care systems, potentially impacting patient care as test results for infectious diseases, cancers, and other illnesses won’t be studied and returned as quickly. Upgrades to the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection have also been stopped, leaving the system outdated.
“We are working now to figure out how much of this critical public health work we can save and continue,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “The sudden and unexpected action from the federal government left us with no choice but to proceed with layoffs immediately. It is devastating to be forced to reduce critical services and give notices to so many dedicated public health professionals because the federal government decided to renege on its commitment to our state. They left us in the lurch, with no advance notice, no close-out period, halting work that would have helped us address chronic gaps in the system and be better prepared for future threats.”
The MDH says it will continue to assess the full implications of these cuts and explore options to preserve essential services.
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