A key public health grant supporting pregnant and postpartum women in Colorado faces uncertainty after the federal government abruptly cut over $11 billion in COVID-19-related funding nationwide.
The cuts put programs like HardBeauty-an organization providing behavioral health and substance abuse support to women on Colorado’s Western Slope-at risk.
The funding disruption came without warning, following a Department of Government Efficiency review. Colorado is among 23 states and Washington, D.C., suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to restore these critical grants. A federal judge temporarily reinstated the funds, but providers remain unsure about long-term stability.
Kylie Hibshman of the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, which oversees the grant, described the situation as “challenging” due to ongoing uncertainty. These grants fund essential services like mental health support, substance use recovery, vaccine clinics, and emergency preparedness.
The funding cuts come amid rising behavioral health needs following the pandemic, especially in rural areas with limited resources. HardBeauty, founded by Racquel Garcia, is the largest employer of people recovering from substance abuse in Colorado, offering vital peer support to vulnerable families.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the cuts “illegal” and warned they threaten public health programs at a time when new disease threats are emerging. The state could lose more than $229 million, impacting services for children, adults with serious mental illness, and addiction recovery efforts.
As the lawsuit proceeds, health providers and communities await a resolution to protect these lifelines for pregnant and postpartum women and others relying on public health programs.
