Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has taken legal action against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The lawsuit involves a coalition of 23 states and the District of Columbia, challenging the abrupt termination of $11 billion in public health grants.
The termination of these grants has affected various state health agencies. The funds were critical for addressing infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, mental health and substance abuse services, and public health infrastructure. In Massachusetts alone, the cut affects seven grants, totaling approximately $118 million. These funds were meant for programs providing immunizations, mental health services, and trauma-informed care.
Andrea Joy Campbell expressed her disapproval, stating, “In a time when emerging public health threats like measles and bird flu are on the rise, the Trump Administration has unlawfully cut funding meant to address these issues, showing us once again that they do not care about the health and safety of our residents or country.”
The grants, initially authorized by Congress through COVID-19-related legislation, are integral for state-level health initiatives. However, the HHS terminated these grants on March 24, claiming the end of the pandemic rendered them unnecessary.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, argues that the terminations are unlawful under federal law. It maintains that the conclusion of the pandemic does not constitute a valid reason for ending the grants since the funds were not contingent on the pandemic’s duration.
AG Campbell, alongside other state attorneys general, seeks a temporary restraining order to counteract the terminations. They contend that the actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and want to stop the HHS from enforcing or reinstating the cuts.
Attorneys general from Colorado, California, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Washington spearheaded the lawsuit. Joining them are representatives from Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin, as well as the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.