Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al. v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. et al.

Why this Matters:

The plaintiffs allege that National Institute of Health’s (NIH) termination of large numbers of grants and refusal to consider pending grant applications based on grants’ connection with forbidden terms, such as “gender identity” and “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the Spending Clause, the separation of powers principle powers, and exceeds executive authority. NIH funding has led to breakthrough scientific discoveries that have been critical to minimizing death and disease and closing gaps in health.

Potential Impact:

Curtailing biomedical and behavioral research based on vague notions of “gender identity” and “diversity, equity, and inclusion” will delay scientific advancement and exacerbate health disparities.