Attorney General Aaron M. Frey, along with a coalition of 21 other attorneys general, has successfully secured a nationwide preliminary injunction in the case of Massachusetts v. NIH. This legal action prevents the Trump Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from withdrawing billions in funding allocated for medical and public health research at universities and research institutions across the United States.
"This is a major win for research institutions and the people that rely on their critical work here in Maine and across the country," stated Attorney General Frey. "My colleagues and I will do everything in our power to continue to fight this irresponsible attack on vital public health research."
The injunction safeguards essential funds necessary for biomedical research, covering expenses such as lab operations, faculty support, infrastructure maintenance, and utility costs. These funds are crucial for sustaining lifesaving medical research efforts in which the United States has historically been a leader.
On February 10, shortly after the lawsuit was filed against the administration, a judge from the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a temporary restraining order against NIH's attempts to cut these critical funds. The current order replaces that temporary restraining order and ensures that funding remains intact as legal proceedings continue until a final decision is reached.
The NIH serves as the primary federal funding source for medical research within the United States. Funding provided by NIH grants has facilitated numerous scientific breakthroughs, including cancer treatments and DNA sequencing advancements. Many scientists supported by NIH have received Nobel Prizes for their pioneering contributions to science.
This lawsuit is co-led by attorneys general from Massachusetts, Illinois, and Michigan. Other states participating include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.