The Department of Government Efficiency has announced plans to end seven state health department grants in Kentucky totaling about 121 million dollars. Woodford County Public Health Director Cassie Prather said she’s concerned about the possible impact on her department’s ability to track and fight more than 100 communicable diseases.
“COVID was just one of those, and we've we're seeing, you know, the resurgence of measles, also having reports of increased Dengue fever along the coast for people that have been traveling, and things like that. So certainly not a time that we want to decrease our efforts.”
Prather said bird flu is another worry. She said some of her department’s work involves contracts signed with other parties.
“Once you get that notice of funding award and you sign this, the state government signs, it's coming from the federal government -- those signatures mean something. At least, mine does when I put it on the line.”
Governor Beshear said the cancellations were unlawful and his administration will challenge them. He said the grant contracts can only be terminated for cause and DOGE is trying to define cause as, “The pandemic's over.”
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