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The Minnesota Department of Health announced layoffs and reductions in public health services on Tuesday due to cuts in federal funding.

The agency issued layoffs and separation notices to 170 employees whose positions were supported by federal grants that have now been terminated. Additionally, offers have been rescinded for 20 new hires.

Notices will also be given to other staff members who are at risk of layoffs, affecting approximately 300 employees in total within the health department.

The layoffs and separations result from an 

unexpected decision by the federal government

 last week to cut more than $220 million in previously approved funding for the health department.

“We are working now to figure out how much of this critical public health work we can save and continue,” Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the Minnesota commissioner of health, said in a statement.

MDH commissioner: $226 million cuts to federal COVID-19 grants ‘shortsighted’

The Minnesota Department of Health said that several services and programs across the agency will be affected by the layoffs, including the state’s efforts in response to measles and bird flu, wastewater surveillance, community clinics and vaccination initiatives. The cuts will also limit support for nursing homes and reduce funding for tribal public health services.

Erica Zurek

Author

The agency issued layoffs and separation notices to 170 employees whose positions were supported by federal grants that have now been terminated. 

People gather in the lobby of an elementary school.

Minnesota Department of Health announces layoffs amid federal funding cuts

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