FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2025
Contact: SEIU 1199NE Communications, 860-280-6443, comms@seiu1199ne.org
HARTFORD - Members of SEIU 1199 New England are outraged at the recent decision by President Trump and federal leaders to reduce funding for vital public health programs on a national scale and specifically in Connecticut. Today, this decision hit close to home with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) where 70 workers received notices to halt their work as the fate of the funding that supports their positions remains uncertain. At the same time, employees at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) are left in a state of uncertainty, not knowing what to expect or how these budget cuts will affect them.
With over $4 billion in the Rainy Day Fund, Connecticut has the ability — and the responsibility — to step in and protect these essential public health programs.
Rob Baril, President, SEIU 1199 New England
Connecticut's public health system relies on grants, but recent cuts of $149 million for DPH are concerning. This reflects a national trend of over $11.4 billion in grant reductions for public health. The funding cuts will force DPH to end programs with local health departments, hindering immunization services and efforts to address health disparities. Losing these resources is troubling amid ongoing public health crises and rising mental health issues in the community.
The loss of these programs puts the health and safety of Connecticut residents at serious risk. From visible frontline care to essential behind-the-scenes work, the cuts threaten the very infrastructure that supports public health. Some of the critical programs and roles at the Department of Public Health (DPH) that are now at risk include:
- Newborn Screening Program Staff: They make sure every newborn in Connecticut is screened for life-threatening conditions in those critical first days. With a simple heel prick, they test for conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, and metabolic disorders — diseases that, if caught early, can be treated before they cause serious harm. Without this program, babies could leave the hospital undiagnosed, and families could face unimaginable consequences.
- Lab Scientists and Disease Surveillance Analysts: These are the people tracking diseases before they become headlines. They test samples, confirm diagnoses, and alert communities before outbreaks spread. Just 5 years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic they worked nonstop behind the scenes — and they still are. Without them, we lose our early warning system, and preventable illness becomes a public crisis.
And they’re not alone. Epidemiologists monitor trends to prevent outbreaks from overwhelming our schools and hospitals. CT WIZ administrators keep immunization records accurate and accessible so patients get the right care at the right time. Call center specialists and infectious disease coordinators respond when nursing homes and clinics need urgent guidance. Contracted public health workers and outreach teams were modernizing the systems we all depend on — until their funding was abruptly cut. Together, these workers form the invisible safety net that protects every one of us. Without them, the consequences will be felt in every corner of our communities.
We commend Governor Ned Lamont, DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, DMHAS Commissioner Nancy Navarretta, and local leaders for their prompt response and recognition of the significance of these programs and the individuals working in these roles. However, it is crucial that they act immediately — by urging the federal administration to restore this funding and, in the meantime, identifying resources within the state budget to prevent devastating service disruptions.
Rob Baril, President, SEIU 1199 New England
As the state grapples with this difficult situation, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of dealing with these reductions. The consequences go beyond just losing funding in the short term; they put at risk the essential structure of the public healthcare system that safeguards the most at-risk individuals in the community. We need to remain vigilant as discussions about funding and allocation of resources continue.
One meaningful step Governor Lamont could take to protect the future of these essential programs is to consider lifting the state’s fiscal guardrails—rules that were designed for a different time and now limit our ability to meet the urgent needs of our communities. We believe there’s a path forward that both protects the state’s long-term stability and ensures we’re doing right by those who rely on us most.
Many of the individuals impacted by these cuts are proud members of SEIU 1199NE. They include Department of Public Health (DPH) staff — newborn screening professionals protecting infants from life-threatening conditions, lab scientists and epidemiologists tracking and containing outbreaks, CT WIZ administrators ensuring vaccine records are accurate, call center specialists responding to urgent infectious disease questions, and outreach workers building critical connections in the community.They also include frontline caregivers at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), who provide crisis support, help prevent suicides, and deliver essential mental health and addiction care across Connecticut. These SEIU 1199NE members are the backbone of our state’s public health and behavioral health systems. Their work saves lives — and now their jobs, and the services they provide, are at risk.