Sweeping staffing cuts across federal offices. The role of government isn’t to be profitable, but to serve public needs in a way that no one else does. To prepare for the unknown impacts of these broad administrative actions, many organizations are bracing for this worst-case scenario, which could result in limited to no access to critical health services, food, and shelter. These broad and deep cuts at the CDC and other agencies are so significant and wide-ranging that the nation is likely to discover their impacts in the near term, midterm, and long term – and, unfortunately, capacity is much more difficult to build than to destroy.

Impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Public Health and our ability to serve communities. Anti-immigration policies and the threat of deportation through active ICE raids have profound impacts on the trust of individuals and communities to access public health, healthcare, and cultural and community spaces that have direct impacts on people’s health and well-being. Many organizations are proactively preparing for potential raids, with significant emotional and logistical impacts on their staff and patients alike. Families and schools have already seen ICE raids impact their communities.

Medicaid and Public Health.  Cuts to COVID-19 “emergency” Medicaid funding have led to a drop in Coloradans insured by Medicaid, which has led to significant layoffs at healthcare centers across Colorado. Trailhead is especially concerned about services in rural areas and the ability to maintain essential health services. This includes our close partners at Rural Health Centers.

Funding Cuts: On Friday, March 14^th, The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger issued a response to the federal cancellation of $1.3 billion in investments meant to support local farmers, schools, food banks, and pantries nationally. The abrupt cut to funding will cancel over $13 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding in Colorado meant to help food banks and schools purchase locally grown produce.

Scrubbing Public Health Information: The removal of federal health websites, data sets, and other resources was reversed by a court order in early February. The medically inaccurate language at the top of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey site highlights the shift to reframing or modifying research to meet political needs. This is especially true with topics related to transgender health, an integral part of public health. Inclusion and equity are intrinsically connected to the health and well-being of all people. We remain committed to our values and the DEI principles that inform our work.