Mass. public health commissioner warns of federal grant cuts, outlines equity and preparedness priorities

Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, head of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, told the Joint Committee on Public Health that the department is still assessing the impact of recent federal grant actions and that “just yesterday, we were told that several large CDC grants we receive are being terminated.”

Goldstein told the committee that the cuts could affect laboratory testing, surveillance and epidemiology, vaccine infrastructure, and community engagement — services she described as “core functions of public health.” She said the department is continuing analysis to quantify impacts, but estimated the threatened CDC reductions could total in the tens of millions of dollars.

The department outlined five cross‑cutting strategic priorities it will pursue this session to sustain services and address disparities: centering racial equity; strengthening emergency preparedness and readiness to respond; investing in a well‑trained workforce; modernizing public‑health infrastructure and data; and promoting a culture of public service. Goldstein said the agency has created a one‑page strategy map and launched six major initiatives to implement those priorities, including an equity‑forward strategic plan, efforts to improve maternal‑care systems of care, tighter links between maternal health and substance‑use programs, a department‑wide Ready Responder program, a public DPH data library, and strengthening the state public‑health hospital system.

The commissioners and chairs emphasized that the department is coordinating with other state agencies and the legislature to track impacts and look for state and private mitigation measures. Goldstein noted the department receives roughly $700 million in federal funds annually—about half of its $1.7–$1.8 billion budget—and that the department accepts grant diversity from agencies beyond CDC, including EPA, HUD and the Department of Education.

While the department pledged to maintain services, Goldstein and committee members repeatedly framed the cuts as an immediate risk to surveillance, vaccination programs and laboratory capacity and urged close collaboration between the department and the legislature as analyses continue.

Looking ahead, Goldstein said the DPH will push for implementation funding tied to its recent strategic plan items and will rely on partnerships with local boards of health, community organizations and legislative oversight to preserve core functions if federal support shrinks.

Commissioner Goldstein and chairs said the committee and the department will hold follow‑up briefings as the department completes its analysis and as the Commonwealth explores state options to backfill critical programs.