California Sues Trump Administration Over $600M in Public Health Funding Cuts

Lawsuit filed by California and three other Democratic states over termination of key public health grants.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to cut $600 million in public health funding from California and three other Democratic-led states - Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. The cuts target grants that fund workforce development, data modernization, disease testing and treatment, and other critical public health functions. California is set to lose $130 million from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant alone, which supports over 400 jobs and key public health capabilities.

Why it matters

The lawsuit argues the cuts are politically motivated and will cause 'irreparable harm' by weakening states' ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies. The targeted grants support a wide range of vital public health programs, from addressing health inequities to monitoring infectious diseases and chronic conditions.

The details

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services informed Congress it would end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grants in the four states. The attorneys general argue the cuts are based on 'arbitrary political animus' and would undermine critical public health infrastructure and services. The grants fund jobs, electronic data systems, urgent dental care, heat event planning, and more. Other grants at risk include $6 million for Los Angeles County health equity work and funding for HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ health, and public health staffing.

  • On February 17, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit against the Trump administration.
  • The joint lawsuit was filed on February 17, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The players

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California who announced the lawsuit against the Trump administration.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The federal agency that informed Congress it would end the CDC grants in California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota.

Nancy Pelosi

A San Francisco Democratic Congresswoman who called the agency's reasoning for the cuts 'a transparent excuse to punish states and communities it disagrees with.'

Adam Schiff

A Democratic U.S. Senator from California who called the grant cancellations 'dangerous' and 'deliberate.'

Los Angeles Department of Public Health

The local health department that said the cuts would undermine its capacity to respond to emergencies and monitor public health.

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What’s next

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will hear the lawsuit filed by California and the other three states.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the politicization of public health funding and the potential devastating impacts on states' abilities to prepare for and respond to health emergencies. It underscores the importance of maintaining robust, non-partisan public health infrastructure nationwide.