ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Health said Wednesday, April 15, it is delaying previously announced layoffs because of a temporary restoration of funding.
MDH announced it would lay off 170 employees earlier this month, it said as a direct result of the federal government's termination of $220 million in previously approved grants.
MDH said the layoffs are now effective May 13.
The agency said staff cuts would impact a wife variety of efforts, including response times to infectious disease outbreaks, tribal public health and upgrades to the state's immunization information system.
A group of states co-led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison swiftly sued U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy for the termination, resulting in a temporary restraining order restoring the funding.
"We are grateful for this action by the court, which we feel aligns with the federal government's responsibility to use as a grantee," said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham in a news release.
"This action has given us additional short-term certainty around this funding, which allows us to delay this layoff process slightly.
"We continue to remain hopeful for a positive long-term outcome that would allow us to mitigate the need to layoff so many smart, dedicated staff who are vital to protecting the health of Minnesotans.”
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