American Academy of Pediatrics v. Department of Health and Human Services et al.

Docket No.
1:25-cv-04505
District Court
District of Columbia

Goal

  • Block enforcement of an agency action
  • Compel agency action
  • Declaration that agency action is unlawful

Issues

Why this Matters:

The plaintiff alleges that the termination of nearly $12 million in funds by the Department of Health and Human Services violates the First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Spending Clause, and Administrative Procedure Act. These funds support more than a dozen programs that are used for initiatives such as providing training and technical assistance to pediatricians in rural communities, the reduction of sudden unexpected infant death, the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and universal newborn hearing screenings. 

Potential Impact:

Curtailing grants for maternal and child health will make it harder to address the maternal health crisis and exacerbate health disparities.

9 Major Filings

Related Litigation

Current Status

Briefing is ongoing

Important Date

Motion Hearing

Legal Issues

First Amendment - Free Speech Clause, Fifth Amendment - Equal Protection Clause, Spending Clause, Administrative Procedure Act - Contrary to Constitutional Right

Topic(s)

Funding Termination/Cuts

Date Filed
December 24, 2025
Case Type
Civil
Court Type
District Court
Court
District of Columbia
Judge
Howell, Beryl A. Appointed By: Barack Obama
Plaintiff(s)
American Academy of Pediatrics
Lead Counsel For Plaintiff(s)
Democracy Forward Foundation
Defendant(s)
Department of Health and Human Services; Health Resources and Service Administration; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Thomas J. Engels; Jim O'Neill
Lead Counsel for Defendant(s)
Government