Pediatrics group sues HHS for cutting funds for children's health
programs
[December 26, 2025]
By LAURA UNGAR
The American Academy of Pediatrics sued the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services on Wednesday, seeking to block nearly $12 million in
cuts to the group.
Earlier this month, the federal government “abruptly terminated” grants
to the group, the lawsuit says.
The funding supported numerous public health programs, including efforts
to prevent sudden unexpected infant death, strengthen pediatric care in
rural communities and support 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,” says the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia. “Within a few weeks, AAP will have to begin laying
off employees dedicated to this critically important work.”
The suit alleges HHS made the cuts in retaliation for the doctors’ group
speaking out against the Trump administration’s positions and actions.
The doctors’ group has been vocal about its support for pediatric
vaccines and has publicly opposed HHS positions. Health Secretary Robert
F. Kennedy Jr. — who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years —
is seeking to broadly remake federal policies on vaccines. Earlier this
year, the pediatrics group released its own recommendations on COVID-19
vaccines, which substantially diverged from the government's
recommendations.
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 The group also supports access to
gender-affirming care and has publicly criticized HHS positions on
the topic, saying it opposes what it calls the government’s
infringements 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,” Skye Perryman,
president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement.
Perryman’s organization is representing the doctors’ group in the
case.
A spokesman for HHS could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mark Del Monte, CEO and executive vice president of the
67,000-member doctors’ group, said the organization depends on its
relationship with the federal government.
“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,” he said in a statement. “We
are forced to take legal action today so that these programs can
continue to make communities safer and healthier.”
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