Legal battle over federal grants for child health The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.The legal action challenges the administration’s decision to terminate seven long-standing federal grants totaling nearly $12 million. These funds support critical programs, including universal newborn hearing screenings, sudden unexpected infant death prevention, and medical technical assistance for rural communities.
The AAP alleges that the funding cuts are “retaliatory,” following the organization’s public criticism of administration policies that the group believes threaten children’s health, particularly regarding evidence-based immunization standards.
Conflicting public health priorities An HHS spokesperson stated that the grants were canceled because they “no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities.” This move comes amid an escalating conflict between the AAP and HHS leadership over public health guidelines. Tensions have peaked over recent changes to immunization schedules, such as the CDC’s decision to drop the recommendation for a universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine—a move the AAP strongly opposed.
Potential consequences and legal demands The AAP warned that without immediate judicial intervention, vital programs will end within weeks, leading to staff layoffs and a nationwide loss of access to essential child health services.The lawsuit seeks an immediate block on the funding cuts and the reinstatement of the grants while the legal case proceeds, arguing that the cuts irreparably harm both the organization and public safety.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/24/health/pediatrics-lawsuit-trump-hhs-grants