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The Trump administration pulled back $ in grants from state and local health departments while the measles outbreak spread. HHS fired nearly CDC employees, including epidemiologists critical for outbreak response. The CDC was able to deploy only people to Texas to help with the outbreak response, with of those staff members subsequently laid off as part of federal job cuts.

Explanation

These cuts occurred precisely when the U.S. needed maximum public health capacity to respond to the worst measles outbreak in decades. The timing reveals how political ideology trumps public safety.

This question is part of CDC reports 2,255 measles cases in 2025 as RFK Jr. weakens vaccine programs. 5 more questions available.