Judge orders HHS to restore funding for children’s health programs as lawsuit continues
NEW YORK– A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in funding for the American Academy of Pediatrics, including money for rural health care and early identification of disabilities in young children.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., granted the preliminary injunction Sunday evening, siding with the AAP in saying the evidence showed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services likely had a “retaliatory motive” when it ended grants to the pediatric group in December.
“This is not a question of whether the AAP or HHS is right or even has the best position on immunizations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy,” Howell wrote in his decision. “This is a case about whether the federal government exercised its power in a way that paralyzed public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted professional membership organization of pediatricians focused on improving children’s health. »
The seven grants completed in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities, and support adolescents facing substance abuse and mental health issues.
The AAP claimed the cuts were made in retaliation for the group speaking out against the Trump administration’s positions and actions. HHS said in letters to the AAP that the grants were reduced because they no longer aligned with the department’s priorities. The ministry denied AAP’s allegations of retaliation.
The AAP has expressed support for pediatric vaccines and has publicly opposed HHS positions. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years — made sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. Last year, the pediatrics group released its own recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines, which deviated significantly from government guidance.
The group also supports access to gender-affirming care and has publicly criticized HHS’s positions on the subject, saying it opposes what it calls government violations of the doctor-patient relationship.
In explaining his decision, Howell said the AAP demonstrated that it would likely suffer irreparable harm from the budget cuts. She also said the group had shown the public interest was in its favor by allowing the programs to continue while the trial was pending.
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represents the AAP in the lawsuit, said the ruling shows that “no administration can silence doctors, compromise public health or put children in danger, and we will not stop fighting until this illegal retaliation is completely over.”
An HHS spokesperson declined to comment. Attorneys representing HHS in the lawsuit did not immediately respond to emailed inquiries.
