Today, Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announced cuts of $12 billion in previously approved public health funding through the Department of Health and Human Services, defunding programs tracking infectious diseases, mental health services and addiction treatment. The impact on Connecticut is estimated to be over $150 million.
“Yet again, the Trump administration announces funding cuts of already allocated money that’s helping vulnerable people in our communities every day. These funds are used to track measles outbreaks, bird flu, and chronic infectious diseases that impact our communities. Cutting them leaves us more exposed and less protected. The funds support vital mental health and addiction recovery services. Cutting them will threaten our efforts in treating mental illness and substance use disorder just as we’re seeing some progress. This isn’t leftover COVID or pandemic funding being cut, as the administration claims – we’re losing support for preventative care, disease tracking, and health emergency programs.
“If Republicans in Connecticut are truly worried about opioid addiction and preventing the next pandemic, then where is their outrage? Will they be willing to support additional state appropriations and revenue to replace the reckless and heartless federal cuts?”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193
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