San Diego County Supervisor Warns: CDC Cuts Funding for Local Public Health Laboratory – What It Means for Community Health

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently cut nearly $40 million in funding for San Diego County. This decision arrives as the county prepares to open a new Public Health Laboratory in May.

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer expressed strong concerns about this funding cut. She described the decision as a significant blow to key public health services such as disease monitoring, laboratory staffing, and vaccine distribution. The CDC informed the county that it was rescinding funding from programs that were initially set to support public health through 2026.

Lawson-Remer highlighted that, despite being awarded $174 million, the county now faces a shortfall of about $40 million because of the CDC’s sudden decision. “We built the lab as planned and met our commitments, but now the federal government is backing out, leaving local families to bear the consequences,” she said.

The new Public Health Lab, which costs $93 million, aims to improve the county’s response to health threats. It includes advanced features such as whole genome sequencing to identify emerging diseases and enhanced wastewater testing for monitoring viruses like COVID-19 and Hepatitis A. It also plans to partner with universities for workforce training.

However, without the federal funding, critical components of the facility may not be fully operational. Lawson-Remer mentioned that this funding would also facilitate capital costs for the lab and its equipment, as well as support vital programs like mobile testing units and vaccinations in shelters.

In response to this funding cut, San Diego officials are exploring options to maintain public health programs. “We need to protect our community from potential health crises,” Lawson-Remer said.

Adding to the situation, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with over 20 states and the District of Columbia, has launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are attempting to prevent further reductions in public health funding, signaling broader concerns about maintaining vital health services at a time when they are most needed.

Public reactions to this funding cut have been mixed. Many community members are worried about the implications for local health services, while others are voicing their frustrations on social media, highlighting the risks tied to diminished federal support for local health initiatives.



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