Clinics across CT still nervous after Trump rescinds federal funding freeze
The White House rescinded the sweeping freeze on Wednesday, but still says it will halt spending for programs that violate President Trump's executive orders.
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Hundreds of schools, nonprofits and clinics across Connecticut are still in limbo – even after the Trump administration lifted a sweeping freeze on federal funding Wednesday.
Instead, the White House said it will review programs on a case-by-case basis to see if they violate President Donald Trump’s broad – and sometimes vaguely-worded – executive orders.
At federally funded clinics, less money from Washington could make it harder for patients to see a doctor.
FUNDING FREEZE LIFTED
President Trump’s sudden spending pause led to widespread confusion on Tuesday. It would have frozen funding for low-income schools, rail projects, local police departments, veterans’ programs and even cancer research. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security payments were not affected, the White House said.
The next day, the administration rescinded the order. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said spending will still be halted on programs that violate the president’s more than 300 executive orders.
Gov. Ned Lamont praised the reversal.
“This freeze would have left millions of Americans in uncertainty, particularly those who need access to life necessities like food, housing, education, and health care,” he said in a statement. “This decision was the right move, and we're relieved that for now, common sense prevailed.”
But Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the state will continue fighting the administration in court.
“I do not for a second believe this threat is over,” Tong said. “The announcements from the White House today are just more confusion and chaos. We are in court today, and we are going to stay there for as long as it takes to protect Connecticut families and our state.”
CLINICS NERVOUS
The Norwalk Community Health Clinic saw 55,000 patient visits last year. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, 75% of its funding comes from Washington. This week’s freeze sent the clinic into panic mode.
“It would decimate our organization,” said CEO Kenneth Waller. "We could probably operate for approximately 40, 45 days, without the federal funding. But again, that's just an estimate."
Waller is breathing a sigh of relief – for now. But he’s still worried about deep cuts from Washington, which could mean cuts for patients.
“Like podiatry, mental health, as well as dental services,” said Waller.
IMPACTS STILL UNKNOWN
The funding freeze may be thawed, but the White House said it is still committed to cutting funds for “woke” programs.
“The American people should not be confused about this,” said Leavitt. “And, in fact, they should be grateful that this administration is actually valuing their hard-earned tax dollars.”
Federal cutbacks could also impact Connecticut's state workforce. Three thousand state employees are funded by the feds.
No matter what happens in the future, Gov. Ned Lamont said that they will get paid.
“We will continue to make those payments,” Lamont said on Tuesday. “We’ve got a surplus. I know that makes some people nervous, but that means we have a little bit extra.”
“UNPRECEDENTED FOR US”
But back at the Norwalk Community Health Center, they don’t have much wiggle room in the budget. If cuts come from Washington, patients may have to pay more as a last resort.
“That's a possibility,” Waller said. “I don’t know; we have to figure that out. This is all unprecedented for us.”
