A coalition of 23 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., over the department’s abrupt rollback of $12 billion in public health funding. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, accuses the department of acting unlawfully by eliminating federal grants that were critical for supporting state and local health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs are now seeking a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief to prevent the cuts from going into effect.
According to the states involved, the sudden withdrawal of funding threatens to dismantle key health programs, disrupt services, and eliminate thousands of public health jobs. These grants, originally issued during the pandemic, supported a wide range of operations, including disease surveillance, vaccine outreach, and community-based health initiatives. Officials warn that without federal support, many health departments will be forced to downsize or discontinue essential services, potentially jeopardizing public health infrastructure just as the nation continues to manage long-term effects of the pandemic.
Local and state health departments have expressed shock over the timing and abruptness of the decision. Many were unaware the funding would be rescinded so quickly, and several departments were already relying on the money for ongoing programs. One state described the sudden rollback as causing “uncertainty and chaos” across its public health system. These concerns echo broader frustrations about the instability of federal support following the massive mobilization during the COVID crisis.
The rollback stems from decisions made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The CDC announced last week that it would begin recovering roughly $11.4 billion in pandemic-era funds within 30 days. SAMHSA is also withdrawing an additional $1 billion in public health grants, according to the attorneys general. Critics argue that the cuts could severely hamper ongoing efforts to manage mental health, substance abuse, and prevent future outbreaks.
The lawsuit marks a sharp clash between state governments and federal leadership over post-pandemic public health priorities. While HHS has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit, the move underscores growing tension around how remaining pandemic funds should be managed. With a court decision pending, public health advocates and local leaders are urging the federal government to reconsider the cuts and find a path forward that preserves essential services for communities still recovering from the pandemic’s far-reaching impact.
