Pediatrics group challenges HHS in court after loss of federal health funding

WASHINGTON, DC: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Wednesday, December 24, filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that the agency improperly terminated nearly $12 million in grant funding.

The lawsuit claimed that the grants were ended abruptly and argued that the decision was tied to the organization’s public disagreements with the Trump administration over vaccines and gender-affirming care.

The case was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and sought to restore the funding while the legal challenge proceeded.

Lawsuit claims funding cuts were retaliatory

In its complaint, the American Academy of Pediatrics argued that the funding cuts were not driven by budgetary considerations and were instead retaliatory.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, the legal organization representing the AAP, said that the administration’s actions violated constitutional protections.

"The Department of Health and Human Services is using federal funding as a political weapon to punish protected speech," Perryman said in a statement.

She added that the lawsuit wants to prevent what she described as efforts to silence organizations that disagree with the federal health policy.

Lifesaving programs for infants and teens reportedly at risk

According to the lawsuit, the terminated grants supported public health programs focused on infant safety, pediatric care access, and adolescent health services.

The AAP said that the funding helped prevent sudden unexpected infant death, expanded pediatric services in rural communities, and provided assistance to teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.

The organization said that it did not have alternative funding sources to replace the federal grants.

The complaint stated that without the funding, the AAP would be forced to end multiple programs and reduce staff.

Clash over vaccines and gender-affirming care 

The lawsuit highlighted the ongoing disagreements between the AAP and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

The academy had publicly opposed several HHS positions, including the administration’s guidance on Covid-19 vaccines.

Earlier this year, the AAP issued its own vaccine recommendations, which differed from those released by federal health agencies.

The group had also criticized the administration’s approach to gender-affirming care, arguing that it interfered with the doctor-patient relationship.

CEO of  AAP says they were 'forced to take legal action'

Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that the organization pursued legal action after efforts to resolve the dispute were unsuccessful.

"We are forced to take legal action today so that these programs can continue to make communities safer and healthier," Del Monte said in a statement.

He said that the organization remained committed to its public health mission despite the legal dispute.

An HHS spokesperson was not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit.