Federal Grant Cuts Ax $117 Million in COVID-Era Funds to Oregon

Portland, Oregon- The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that approximately $117 million in federal grants and funding have been terminated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding cuts, which affect programs established during the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to have an immediate impact across all nine federally recognized Tribal communities and every county in Oregon, according to officials.

The cuts come more than a year before some of the grants were scheduled to end. Affected programs include behavioral health, public health infrastructure, immunization efforts, and disease surveillance.

Among the terminated grants are five within OHA’s Behavioral Health Division, which supported the establishment of the 988 crisis line. The funding was intended to address gaps in substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery services, particularly for communities of color, young adults, and veterans.

OHA also lost funding for an Equity Office in its Public Health Division. The office provided technical assistance and training to rural health care providers, Tribes, local public health departments, and community organizations focused on improving health outcomes for communities experiencing health inequities.

Immunization-related grants were also eliminated, which supported vaccine-preventable disease work. This included funding for clinics in local and Tribal communities, provider training, public education, and help desk support for health care providers and the general public. These grants also facilitated the development of informational materials in multiple languages to meet the needs of diverse communities.

Additionally, multiple grants supporting communicable disease response were cut. These funds had enabled OHA to expand laboratory capacity, modernize data systems, and improve surveillance, testing, and response to respiratory viruses.

OHA has informed local public health authorities, Tribal governments, and community partners about the funding terminations. Agency officials stated that they will evaluate the impact of the cuts, including the legality of the decision, and remain committed to improving health outcomes in Oregon.