Judge orders HHS to restore funding for children's health programs as lawsuit continues
Source: The Lawton Constitution/AP
3 hrs ago
NEW YORK — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics, including money for rural health care and the early identification of disabilities in young children.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., awarded the preliminary injunction late Sunday, siding with AAP in saying evidence showed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services likely had a “retaliatory motive” when it terminated grants to the pediatric group in December.
“This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy,” Howell wrote in her decision. “This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children.”
The seven grants terminated in December supported numerous public health programs, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in rural communities and support teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.
Read more: https://www.swoknews.com/styles/health/judge-orders-hhs-to-restore-funding-for-childrens-health-programs-as-lawsuit-continues/article_ec9f66d8-4505-5d1c-b649-0ceb435f4451.html
Link to ORDER (PDF) - https://democracyforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Opinion-Granting-PI.pdf
REFERENCES
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143583982
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143587887