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

Lawsuit alleges cuts to four Democratic states are politically motivated and will harm public health preparedness.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its plans to cut $600 million in public health funding from California and three other Democratic states - Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. The lawsuit argues the cuts are based on 'arbitrary political animus' and will cause 'irreparable harm' by weakening the states' ability to respond to public health emergencies and address health inequities.

Why it matters

The cuts target grants that fund critical public health infrastructure, including workforce development, data modernization, disease testing and treatment, and emergency preparedness. Losing this funding could lead to layoffs and undermine the states' capacity to protect public health, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

The grants under threat include the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, which provides funding to all 50 states but is only being cut in the four Democratic states. California alone stands to lose $130 million from this grant, which pays for over 400 public health jobs and supports electronic data sharing and urgent dental care for underserved children. Other grants at risk include funding for addressing health inequities, HIV prevention, and preparing for extreme heat events.

  • On February 17, 2026, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the state is suing the Trump administration over the planned public health funding cuts.
  • On February 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services informed Congress it would end the CDC grants in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota.

The players

Rob Bonta

The Attorney General of California who announced the lawsuit against the Trump administration over the public health funding cuts.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The federal agency that informed Congress it would be ending the CDC grants in the four Democratic states.

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, at the direct expense of lives and readiness.'

Adam Schiff

A California Democratic U.S. Senator who called the cancellation of grants 'dangerous' and 'deliberate.'

Los Angeles Department of Public Health

A local health department that said the cuts would undermine its capacity to respond to natural disasters, outbreaks, and monitor public health conditions.

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What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing political divide over public health funding, with the Trump administration accused of targeting Democratic-led states for ideological reasons. The loss of critical grants could significantly undermine the ability of these states to protect public health and prepare for emergencies, raising concerns about the politicization of public health.