Attorney General Kwame Raoul, joined by 19 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to halt the dismantling of HHS. The suit comes in response to significant changes within the department since January, which have included mass firings and program closures that states argue are leading to health crises.
Raoul and his colleagues contend that these actions have stripped HHS of its capacity to serve effectively, urging the court to prevent further dismantling and restore essential programs. "Since its founding, HHS has administered crucial offices and programs dedicated to protecting and advancing the health and well-being of all Americans," Raoul stated. He emphasized the importance of programs like Head Start and disease tracking efforts such as those for measles.
The restructuring was announced on March 27 as part of President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. This plan involves reducing HHS's agencies from 28 to 15, resulting in a reduction of employees from 85,000 to 65,000. Consequently, on April 1, 10,000 employees were terminated nationwide, with half of the regional offices closing down.
The lawsuit highlights disruptions across various health services due to these changes. Surveillance programs for black lung disease have ceased operations; N95 mask access is hindered following laboratory closures; key CDC laboratories responsible for infectious disease monitoring have been shut down; mental health services are impacted by workforce reductions at SAMHSA; maternal health teams at CDC have been dismissed; and potential Head Start center closures loom due to staff cuts.
Raoul argues that these measures violate federal statutes and regulations by bypassing congressional approval, undermining constitutional separation of powers while disregarding laws meant to safeguard public health.
This legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed by Raoul on April 1 against similar administrative decisions affecting state health funding. A temporary restraining order issued on April 4 temporarily reinstated this funding.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin join Raoul in this latest lawsuit.