San Diego County Faces Funding Cuts for Public Health Lab
SAN DIEGO – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has pulled nearly $40 million in funding from San Diego County, impacting the county’s plans to launch a new Public Health Laboratory next month. This announcement was made by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s office on Thursday.
Supervisor Lawson-Remer expressed deep concern over the CDC’s decision, stating it undermines essential services like disease monitoring, laboratory staffing, and vaccine distribution. Last week, county officials received notice that the CDC is retracting several funding sources previously awarded through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity program, as well as the Immunization and Vaccines for Children program, including the COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant for the fiscal years 2025-2026.
The CDC did not provide a comment regarding the funding cut.
Initially, the county was granted a total of $174 million. However, Lawson-Remer’s office estimates that due to the CDC’s sudden decision to close out funding within 30 days, around $40 million will no longer be accessible.
"We constructed the lab responsibly," commented Lawson-Remer, who serves as the vice chair of the Board of Supervisors and is currently the acting chair following the departure of former Supervisor Nora Vargas in January. "We fulfilled our obligations, but now the federal government is not holding up their end, leaving San Diego families to bear the consequences."
The new Public Health Lab, which has cost $93 million and was partially funded by local resources, is set to open in May. It was designed to lessen dependence on labs outside the county and improve the rapid response to public health threats, including diseases like measles and hepatitis.
Without federal backing, the county may struggle to equip and staff the new facility as initially intended, according to Lawson-Remer’s office.
Key features of the lab include:
- A whole genome sequencing lab for improved disease detection.
- Enhanced wastewater monitoring to track COVID-19, Hepatitis A, and other viruses.
- A training center aimed at workforce development and partnerships with universities.
The lost CDC funding was also expected to cover $17 million in costs for the lab’s construction and necessary equipment. Lawson-Remer highlighted that important roles such as epidemiologists and disease investigators, as well as various public health initiatives including mobile testing units and in-shelter vaccinations, are now at risk.
In response to the funding cuts, the county is exploring options to maintain its essential public health services. Additionally, State Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside over 20 states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeking to block the withdrawal of federal funds necessary for public health initiatives.
