Mercer Times

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, along with representatives from 23 states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The legal action aims to halt the termination of approximately $11 billion in federal public health grants, including over $350 million for New Jersey. The coalition is also seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the cuts by the Trump Administration from being implemented.

The lawsuit contends that HHS improperly terminated essential federal funds critical for various public health initiatives in New Jersey, such as combating infectious diseases, providing mental health and substance abuse services, and enhancing emergency preparedness efforts. "Instead of looking out for our health, the Trump Administration is putting us in harm’s way," said Attorney General Platkin. He emphasized that the funding cuts not only violate the law but also risk depriving community health centers of necessary resources and increasing the state's vulnerability to infectious diseases.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress approved and allocated increased funding for health grants, creating specific programs like block grants for mental health and substance abuse services. However, on March 24 and 25, HHS unexpectedly terminated these grants, reasoning that the pandemic's conclusion rendered them unnecessary. This abrupt decision has disrupted state health agencies relying on these funds amidst rising disease threats such as measles and bird flu.

Filed in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, the lawsuit challenges the legality of the grant terminations. It argues that federal law permits "for cause" terminations only if the grant recipient fails to comply with the agreement, and that the pandemic's end does not constitute a valid reason for such terminations. The lawsuit further argues that the decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act, describing HHS's action as arbitrary and capricious.

Attorney General Platkin and the coalition seek a temporary restraining order to stop the mass termination of grants by Secretary Kennedy and HHS in the participating states. The coalition includes Attorneys General from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and governors from Kentucky and Pennsylvania, joining New Jersey in this litigation.