RFK Jr., HHS Blocked From Cutting Public Health Funding (1)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was blocked by a district court Thursday from slashing $11 billion in funding for the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Judge Mary S. McElroy granted a coalition of Democratic-led states’ motion for a temporary restraining order in the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island, according to the court docket. The states sued Kennedy and HHS on Tuesday, alleging their planned cuts violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

The states allege that the funds Kennedy, the director of HHS, planned to cut were previously allocated to the states for public health, mental health, and addiction services.

The suit came in response to HHS’ March 24 announcement of the cuts, which the states allege came with with no advance warning. They argue that the cuts would have devastating consequences for communities throughout the country.

The states—including New York, California, Rhode Island, and North Carolina—use the money to fund their health departments’ core functions, including vaccinations and disease tracking and testing programs.

The states say the funds were initially appropriated through Covid-19-related laws. But the cuts exceed the agency’s statutory and regulatory authority, they allege.

The states’ attorneys general represent the plaintiffs.

The case is Colorado v. US Dep’t of Health & Human Servs., D.R.I., No. 1:25-cv-00121, 4/3/25.