Columbus Sues Trump Administration Over $11.4B Disease Funding Cuts Amid Measles Outbreaks

The City of Columbus has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the elimination of $11.4 billion in infectious disease funding that had already been approved by Congress, including $3.1 million earmarked for Columbus Public Health. City officials argue that the cuts, which led to the termination of 11 infectious disease workers, come at a critical time as Ohio faces a rise in measles cases and threaten the city's ability to respond to outbreaks and provide immunizations. The lawsuit alleges that the administration's actions are both unconstitutional and in violation of Department of Health and Human Services regulations. Columbus is joined in the lawsuit by other cities such as Kansas City and Nashville, as well as Harris County, Texas. City leaders emphasize that these funding cuts have potentially lethal consequences for vulnerable populations and hinder emergency planning and response. The Trump administration has not commented on the pending litigation but has previously stated it will not spend taxpayer dollars on what it calls a non-existent pandemic.