The American Academy of Pediatrics sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to block nearly $12 million in grant cuts that it says will force program closures and staff layoffs. The complaint alleges the awards were "abruptly terminated" and claims the cuts were retaliatory after the Academy publicly opposed certain HHS policies. AAP says the funding supports life-saving work—from preventing infant deaths to bolstering rural pediatric care—and that immediate legal action is needed to keep those services running.
American Academy of Pediatrics Sues HHS to Block Nearly $12 Million in Cuts to Child Health Programs
FILE - President Donald Trump listens as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), asking a federal court to block nearly $12 million in grant terminations that the group says will force it to end critical child-health programs.
Lawsuit Alleges Abrupt, Retaliatory Cuts
The complaint says the federal government "abruptly terminated" grant awards earlier this month. Those funds supported a wide range of public-health initiatives, including efforts to prevent sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), expand pediatric services in rural communities, and provide support for teens facing substance use and mental-health challenges.
"AAP does not have other sources of grant funding to replace the federal awards, and without the necessary funds it must immediately terminate its work on its dozens of programs that save children's lives every day," the complaint states. "Within a few weeks, AAP will have to begin laying off employees dedicated to this critically important work."
Retaliation Claims and Policy Disputes
The suit contends HHS cut funding in retaliation for the Academy's public opposition to certain department and administration policies. The complaint highlights the group's disagreements with the department's vaccine policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., noting AAP published its own COVID-19 vaccine recommendations earlier this year that diverged from federal guidance.
The complaint also cites the Academy's support for access to gender-affirming care and its criticism of what the group describes as government intrusions on the doctor–patient relationship.
"The Department of Health and Human Services is using federal funding as a political weapon to punish protected speech, trying to silence one of the nation's most trusted voices for children's well-being by cutting off critical public-health funding in retaliation for speaking the truth,"
said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, the organization representing AAP in the case.
A spokesperson for HHS could not immediately be reached for comment.
Impact on Services
Mark Del Monte, CEO and executive vice president of the 67,000-member Academy, said the organization relies on its federal partnership to deliver services such as newborn hearing screenings and safe-sleep campaigns aimed at preventing SUID.
"We need this partnership to advance policies that prioritize children’s health. These vital child health programs fund services like hearing screenings for newborns and safe sleep campaigns to prevent sudden unexpected infant death. We are forced to take legal action today so that these programs can continue to make communities safer and healthier,"
Del Monte said in a statement. The Academy warns that without the grants, program closures and layoffs could begin within weeks.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Democracy Forward is representing AAP in the litigation.
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