Federal Government Cancels $1.8M to Public Health Madison Dane County

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Add them to the list: the local health department is feeling the impact of federal cuts. 

Public Health Madison Dane County had won a $1.8 million federal grant to carry out immunization programs. The funding was set to begin March 24, and would end June 30. 

Just two days into the grant, staff were notified that the money was canceled. PHMDC employees said in a newsletter they had to terminate three staff members about 60 days earlier than planned. They had to nix contracts and other resources, too. 

It’s National Public Health Week. “Amid these devastating cuts, it’s hard to feel like celebrating,” the newsletter read.

The federal government has canceled at least $225 million in health funding to Wisconsin.