On the Ground Report: Federal Impacts in North Dakota
By: Prairie Action North Dakota Institute
September 19, 2025
CDC funding cuts are weakening capacity and creating a public health emergency in North Dakota
Local Doctors Speak Out
“As doctors and nurses in North Dakota, we have grave concerns about the unprecedented chaos and collapse of critical programs at the CDC.” – Guest Column, Inforum, Dr. Mary Wakefield with esteemed ND medical professionals
ND’s medical community warns: Budget cuts, firings, and political interference at CDC threaten the health and safety of families here at home.
What’s Happening at the CDC
Over $1 billion cut from CDC funding, with more cuts proposed.
Thousands of staff members, including disease experts and even the CDC Director, were fired.
Vaccine policies rewritten by political appointees.
Disease tracking systems quietly scaled back.
Public health experts say this is the biggest crisis in the CDC’s 75-year history.
Why This Matters for North Dakota
Rural communities already face higher death rates from cancer, heart disease, and chronic illness.
CDC has been essential during ND outbreaks.
Cuts mean fewer resources when the next crisis hits.
Without CDC support, local health providers are left on their own.
National Experts Sound the Alarm
Nine former CDC directors, appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents, warn that these changes “endanger the health and safety of all Americans.”
They compare CDC staff to the military: always on call to protect the nation, but now stripped of capacity to respond.
Congress MUST Act
ND’s Congressional delegation has a role to play:
Sen. Hoeven sits on the funding committee, which can restore the CDC’s budget.
Rep. Fedorchak serves on an oversight committee that can call hearings and demand accountability.
ND families need leaders who will put public health and safety first.
The Risk Ahead
Cuts to CDC funding and staff = fewer vaccines, weaker outbreak tracking, slower responses.
For North Dakota, that means families at risk, rural hospitals strained, and preventable illness and death.
Public health isn’t partisan; it’s about keeping our communities safe.
Take Action
Contact Sen. Hoeven: Tell him to protect CDC funding and restore public health expertise. As a member of the funding committee, he has the power to act now.
Share the voices of ND’s doctors and nurses sounding the alarm.
Stay informed, stay vocal because our health depends on it.
