Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Dear Neighbors,

As we head into April, I wanted to share some news about $150 million in cuts made early last week by the US Department of Health and Human Services. I wish it was an April Fool’s joke, but unfortunately these cuts, primarily to our Department of Public Health, will have significant impact on both state and local public health efforts. I’ll also share more about events and activities over the last two weeks, including a gathering with over 20 statewide Pediatricians to discuss the safety and effectiveness of routine vaccinations.

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced on March 24 an end to the remaining funding for six federal grants awarded to Connecticut. Here are some facts and figures about the cuts:

• The Department of Public Health (DPH) was informed of the cuts the day after the determination was made, with no prior notice.
• 49 state positions were funded, either fully or partially, and 45 local health departments received funding through these grants. 50 contract positions were also funded. Stop work orders were effective March 26.
• Connecticut receives a total of $1.3 billion in federal awards. The cuts were made to $504,489,502 of that $1.3 billion. This $150 million is 33% of the remaining federal funds our state has available to spend in the current fiscal year.
• The grants fall into three categories – Epidemiology and Lab Capacity (ELC), Immunization, and Health Disparities. The ELC grant program has provided ongoing funding from the CDC since 1995.

Last week, I joined NBC Connecticut’s Face the Facts with Mike Hydek to talk about what the end of this public health funding means to our residents. And on Thursday, I joined Governor Lamont, Public Health Commissioner Juthani, and UConn’s President and leader of UConn Health for a press conference about the impact of losing this $150 million.

Governor Lamont’s statement outlines additional details. Here are a few I’d like to highlight:

• An end to the DPH funding for the Family Bridge Program, a universal home visiting program for all new parents in the Greater Bridgeport region. Early data has shown tremendous impacts. This does not end the program, but will limit operations.
• A halt to DPH projects with the State Department of Education, including certain after school programs and teen parent initiatives.
• The loss of immunization awards to local health districts means an end to the Bridgeport Health Department’s partnership with an area provider to help families access vaccination outside of the regular business day. Working families unable to access primary care, and unable to get to the health department during weekday hours, will have more limited options to get their children vaccinated for school. Mobile vaccination clinics and outreach will end in some places.
• A limit to the development and distribution of educational materials combatting misinformation about vaccination.
• Cuts to the immunization funding means a more limited ability to respond to measles, bird flu, and any other outbreaks.
• Data modernization capacity and electronic communication of things like newborn screening results will be lost. Some of our systems are subscription-based and we will lose that access for things like test results and symptom surveillance.
• Modernization of the state’s Laboratory Information System (LIMS) had begun, with millions of dollars already invested. One of the ELC grants was funding this work, and without additional funds, the work has ceased, putting previous investments at risk.

These sudden and unexpected cuts will put those most vulnerable at greater risk. Our Attorney General has joined many other states around the nation in filing a lawsuit to stop these cuts. If they are not reinstated, we know that these cuts will have a ripple effect beyond just the public health sector. I will keep you posted.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been honored to join many community and Capitol events with:

Last week, I joined over 20 doctors from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to reassure the public that vaccines are safe and effective. Our focus was on routine childhood vaccinations.

With the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, and cases in nearby New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, these physicians, my Public Health Co-Chair and I wanted to shine a light on the importance of vaccinations. To hear more about what the pediatricians had to say, take a look at the press conference and some of the media coverage of the event. You’ll hear more from me about vaccines later this week.

As always, please feel free to reach out directly with your ideas, questions, or concerns. You can reach me by phone at (860) 240-8585 or (203) 522-3037.

Take care,

Cristin McCarthy Vahey