The Trump administration has cancelled nine public health grants in Coconino County, totaling $1.8 million.

It caused five layoffs, creating a ripple effect among rural communities and health care providers.

County officials have ended mobile vaccination efforts in rural communities to cut back, and a program that provides free bus passes to help residents reach medical appointments.

Michele Axland is Coconino County Health Director.

“One of our biggest hits came to our seniors and our veteran population. It was our vaccine equity program, so it was a really big blow in the last moment,” says Axlund.

The cuts also reduce the county’s ability to monitor infections as measles cases rise in the southwest, Axlund said.

“Healthcare is about prevention. […] So, are we as robust as we want? ” says Axlund. “We’re not due to those cuts.”

40 additional federal grants that provide rental assistance in Coconino County and serve women, infants and children are also at risk.

County supervisor Patrice Holstman says there isn’t enough local dollars to fill the gap.

“Do you have enough money to cover the federal program? Absolutely not,” says Holstman. “That would not be possible without reducing other major programs that our communities and residents need. We are not enough to cover. That means you have a partnership with the state, why you have a partnership with the federal government.”

Coconino County wasn’t just feeling the impact of the cut.

Six positions in the Navajo County Health Department have been eliminated, with three other people being cut from full-time to part-time.

Elsewhere, Tuba City Regional Healthcare Corporation was forced to reduce its disease investigation team.