A federal judge has placed a long-term hold on the Trump administration’s attempt to retract over $11 billion in public health funding designated for state and local health departments.
This ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy in Rhode Island, extends a previous temporary restraining order implemented in April, which prevents the administration from eliminating pandemic-era financial assistance to various organizations in 23 states led by Democrats, as well as the District of Columbia.
The attorney general for the administration claimed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) acted unlawfully by abruptly canceling grants without evaluating the impacts of withdrawing medical funding or the negative outcomes that could arise from such actions.
State and local health leaders have stated that they possess the allocated funds. These grants were originally authorized under Covid Relief legislation and were permitted to address non-Covid issues, such as responding to a measles outbreak in Texas.
Judge McElroy, who was appointed by former President Trump, noted that the state indicated the termination of the grant.
HHS stated that the overall $11.4 billion in funding was mainly utilized to tackle Covid-19. With the pandemic declared over, they argued that these funds are no longer necessary and will be withdrawn.
The lawsuit contends that the federal government lacks the authority to unilaterally retract already allocated funds, particularly since the state has established essential health programs based on those commitments.
McElroy mentioned that “Congress did not specifically limit funds to Covid-19-related programs and services,” suggesting that the state is “highly likely to succeed” in demonstrating that HHS does not possess the authority to withdrawal or redistribute the funds, nor does it permit such drastic measures.
