Courts and Health Policy

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Trump administration’s Health and Human Services Department to restore nearly $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics that were cut in December. Howell found evidence HHS likely acted with a "retaliatory motive" against AAP’s public stances on vaccines and gender‑affirming care, and said the case is about whether the federal government tried to chill public‑health policy debate by punishing a leading pediatric organization. The seven terminated grants fund programs ranging from rural pediatric care and early identification of disabilities to efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death and support teens facing substance‑use and mental‑health challenges. AAP, which has clashed with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over sweeping changes to childhood vaccine recommendations and restrictions on gender‑affirming care, argued the cuts would cause irreparable harm, and the judge agreed the public interest favors keeping the programs running while the lawsuit proceeds. HHS, which claimed the grants no longer aligned with its priorities and denies retaliation, declined comment as the administration weighs next legal steps.