ABQ Times

Mayor Tim Keller of Albuquerque has urged the Trump administration to reconsider its recent reductions in public health programs. The cuts, targeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, entail a $1 billion reduction in local food programs and a threat to reproductive healthcare funding that is essential for many families.

The administration's decision to lay off 10,000 health workers, close important agencies, and halt $120 million in family planning grants poses significant challenges for accessing vital medical services. These services include cancer screenings, addiction treatments, and responses to infectious disease outbreaks. In New Mexico, one in five children faces food insecurity, with over 320,000 people requiring food assistance.

Faced with these circumstances, Mayor Keller expressed his concern, stating that: “As thousands struggle with addiction on our streets, children go hungry, a dangerous measles outbreak—a disease that was once eliminated—is spreading throughout New Mexico, and low-income families cannot access basic reproductive healthcare, these cuts are simply unconscionable. Trump’s recklessness is putting lives at risk and leaving families without the care they depend on. Albuquerque will not stand by while our community is threatened.”

The cuts affect entire agencies crucial for funding community clinics and mental health programs, and they severely impact the FDA, CDC, and NIH, all of which play significant roles in disease prevention and the development of new treatments. Additionally, the freeze on Title X funding jeopardizes access to necessary healthcare services like contraception, STI treatments, and maternal health for millions of low-income families.

In response to the outlined challenges, Mayor Keller has urged federal leaders to reverse these cuts and restore vital health program funding that supports residents of Albuquerque and communities nationwide.