A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restore approximately $12 million in grant funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This funding cutoff by the former Trump administration had targeted seven grants supporting essential pediatric health programs such as prevention of sudden unexpected infant death, enhanced care in rural pediatric settings, and substance use and mental health services for adolescents.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, presiding in Washington, D.C., ruled late Sunday that evidence suggests HHS acted with a "retaliatory motive" when it ended the grants in December. Judge Howell emphasized that the litigation is not centered on the correctness of AAP or HHS's stances on vaccinations, gender-affirming care, or other public health policies, but rather on whether the government improperly used its authority to suppress public health discourse by penalizing a leading pediatrics organization.
The terminated grants had been integral to a variety of child health efforts. These include initiatives aimed at reducing unexpected infant mortality, augmenting pediatric resources in underserved rural regions, and supporting teenagers confronting challenges related to mental health and substance abuse. The funding interruptions sparked significant concern within the pediatric community and among advocates for children's health programs.
Initially, the AAP contended the funding cuts were retaliatory actions in response to their vocal opposition to several policies advanced by the previous administration. The department, however, maintained in written communications to AAP that the grants were discontinued because they no longer aligned with HHS's strategic priorities. HHS has formally denied allegations that the grant terminations were motivated by retaliation.
The AAP has taken a prominent public position supporting pediatric vaccinations and has openly challenged HHS's policies, particularly under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has reversed several longstanding recommendations regarding childhood vaccines. Additionally, the organization issued COVID-19 vaccine guidelines for children that significantly differed from the government's official advice.
The pediatric group has also championed access to gender-affirming care for youth and criticized HHS policy positions as violations of the doctor-patient relationship. In justifying her decision to reinstate the funding, Judge Howell recognized the irreparable harm AAP would face without the grants and determined that continuing the programs served the public interest during the course of the ongoing lawsuit.
Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, legal counsel representing AAP, stated that the ruling underscores that "no administration gets to silence doctors, undermine public health, or put kids at risk," signaling an ongoing commitment to ending what they characterize as unlawful retaliation. Representatives from HHS and their legal team declined to comment on the ruling.