The Trump administration says the COVID-related funds are a "waste of billions of taxpayer dollars." with the pandemic having ended.
But Beshear, along with 22 other state officials, are filing suit, arguing that pulling back the funds is illegal.
"It's all an investment in in our health care system, but those those dollars have been appropriated by a law that Congress passed, and a president or an executive can't say we're just not gonna do it," he said Thursday.
Calling the federal government decision a "massive, unexpected funding termination," the suit says the move will put states at greater risk for future pandemics and the spread of otherwise preventable disease while cutting off "vital public health services."
Beshear has also expressed concerns about the cuts to staffing at the U.S. Department of Health, which could let go of up to 20,000 workers.