A federal judge announced on Thursday that she will grant a temporary restraining order to halt the cancellation of nearly $11 billion in public health grants by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The decision follows a lawsuit filed by attorneys general and governors from 24 states, arguing that the cuts would cause immediate and severe harm nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy noted there was extensive evidence showing the potential damage from the funding cuts.
During the hearing, Sarah Rice, deputy chief of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Public Protection Bureau, detailed the widespread impact the terminations would have on public health programs beyond just COVID-19.
New Jersey Attorney General Applauds the Ruling
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, one of the officials involved in the lawsuit, welcomed the judge’s decision, saying it prevents the loss of over $350 million in federal health funding for the state.
“We are thrilled with today’s ruling, which stops the Trump Administration’s cruel attempt to take away hundreds of millions in public health funding from New Jersey,” Platkin stated.
He emphasized that the funds support essential services, including mental health counseling, substance abuse recovery programs, and community health centers.
Health officials have also pointed out that these grants help track and contain outbreaks of influenza, RSV, measles, tuberculosis, and bird flu.
The lawsuit argues that cutting these funds could be life-threatening, as many individuals relying on mental health support would struggle to find alternative services.
The 24 States Suing the Trump Administration
The lawsuit, filed on April 1, was brought by 24 states and the District of Columbia:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Health Programs at Risk
The terminated grants fund a range of critical public health programs. In Minnesota, for example, the cuts would eliminate infection-control efforts for 3,000 nursing home residents.
An $800 million grant supporting vaccinations for nearly half of California’s youth is also on the chopping block.
Additionally, the cuts would force the closure of mobile crisis units that assist individuals with severe mental health conditions, leading to potential service gaps across multiple states.
Layoffs of doctors and scientists, as well as disruptions in vaccination efforts in rural areas of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, are also concerns raised in the lawsuit.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of HHS, notified states of the funding cuts last week, citing the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of its reasoning.
Rhode Island officials confirmed that four of the state’s grants, totaling $31 million, were among those eliminated.
Rhode Island AG: Cuts Are a “Cruel” Decision
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, a co-filer of the lawsuit, condemned the grant terminations as a “cruel” attack on public health.
“The administration is effectively telling the American people to fend for themselves,” he said.
Federal Government’s Defense
At the hearing, HHS lawyer Leslie Kane argued against the restraining order, stating that the states had not demonstrated sufficient grounds for such emergency relief.
She requested that the court instead consider a preliminary injunction, allowing the government more time to respond.
Judge McElroy acknowledged that the states would likely pursue a preliminary injunction next but stressed that, given the immediate and severe impact of the cuts, she could not deny the temporary restraining order.
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