Sacramento, California. — President Donald Trump’s move to eliminate federal disaster preparedness programs has raised concerns among state health officials in Republican-controlled Texas and Democratic stronghold California.
that hospital readiness program The HPP was created more than 20 years ago following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in New York on September 11, 2001, and the deadly anthrax attacks a few days later.
Over the past 17 years, the fund has provided nearly $2.2 billion to: States, territories, metropolitan areas and organizations Prepare health systems for future pandemics, cyberattacks, or tragedies with multiple victims.
Recently, these resources have been used to combat avian influenza. About 70 people Caused at least one death in the United States still a threat. It has also been used to respond to crises caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, mass shootings, floods, and heat waves.
however Request is forwarded to Congress Trump’s budget director, Russell Vought, proposed eliminating the program, calling it “wasteful” and “lack of focus.” He added that eliminating it would allow states and cities to “adequately” fund their own prevention plans.
Any action on the issue is currently paralyzed by a government shutdown sparked by partisan bickering over expiring health care subsidies. These grants help many people. 24 million beneficiaries People who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.
Both Republican and Democratic states believe that funding for hospital readiness is essential and cannot be easily replaced by local resources.
This is an example of how the White House is working. reduce the role of government Responding to public health emergencies and natural disasters has undermined the ability of state and local governments to rely on federal funds to meet the needs of their populations.
“This program is a major source of government funding for disaster preparedness for hospitals, emergency medical services and other sectors of the health care system,” explained Texas Department of Health spokesman Chris Van Deusen.
Texas received more than $20 million from HPP this year, and Van Deusen noted that because the budget is set through August 2027, it is unlikely the state will be able to cover the federal funding shortfall anytime soon.
This funding will help Texas’ health care providers develop emergency plans and test hospitals’ ability to scale response to crises, as well as expedite the deployment of medical resources and patient care without overcrowding.
This program is funded by the state of Texas along with state funds. Emergency Medical Task Force (TX EMTF)) This year we responded to deadly flooding, and in 2022 we have several other emergencies, including the Uvalde school shooting.
Georgia, which received $13.5 million in 2025, “continues to monitor and plan for potential changes in future federal funding while ensuring that statewide health forecasting efforts are robust and sustainable,” said public health spokesman Eric Jens.
California health officials called the funding essential to ensure local health care systems can respond to emergencies beyond their usual capabilities. Robert Barsanti, a California Department of Public Health spokesman, said the program is the only federal funding aimed at preparing the health care system for disasters.
“Without this funding, California risks losing critical emergency response infrastructure and undermining our ability to protect lives, maintain continuity of care, and meet federal preparedness standards,” Barsanti said.
California, the nation’s most populous state, received the most funding this year at nearly $29 million. At the same time, it faces a massive budget deficit and has continued to trade criticism with Trump administration officials.
The funds will be distributed to the state Department of Public Health, California Emergency Medical Services Agency (which coordinates the state’s emergency medical system), public health associations and about 60 local agencies.
Los Angeles County, home to more than a quarter of the state’s population, received an additional $11 million, and the University of California system received $1.2 million.
Neither the White House, the Administration for Strategic Preparation and Response, which manages the program under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), nor the Office of Budget Management responded to repeated requests for comment on the proposed HPP cuts.
as reported new york timesla Directorate of Strategic Preparedness and Response ha visto 81% reduction From his staff last year. This is by far the largest workforce reduction at HHS and is part of the Trump administration’s broader federal layoffs.
HHS has already delayed distribution of program funds for this year by nearly three months. It was originally scheduled to be released in July, but most of the funds were not released until late September. On the last day of the Biden administration, health officials deploy quickly These resources are provided as part of the national response to the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak.
The months-long delay “is another example of how change and uncertainty at the federal level jeopardize New York’s critical public health programs,” said Cadence Acquaviva, a Department of Health spokeswoman. Despite the efforts of state health officials, “delays or interruptions in funding during disasters or emergencies place New Yorkers at serious risk,” Acquaviva warned.
New York State received about $14 million and New York City received more than $9 million.
Jim Leach, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, noted that the health care system needs these federal funds to prepare for natural or man-made disasters “beyond the ups and downs of specific diseases.”
The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago together received $15 million through this program.
When an emergency occurs, federally funded crisis response programs “transform hundreds of Illinois hospitals, EMS and other health care facilities into a single, coordinated system,” and that coordination saves lives and public resources, Leach explained.
“If a natural disaster or epidemic occurs, the country will not be able to respond quickly without HPP funding,” he said.
