 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Federal judge orders HHS to restore American Academy of Pediatrics funding |
Over the weekend, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $12 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that was abruptly cut off last month. |
Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction that will restore the grants and block the cuts from taking effect while the case proceeds. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cut million in grant funding to AAP last month, saying they were cut because they no longer aligned with the department's priorities. AAP alleged in its suit that it was cut in retaliation for its criticisms of HHS's actions throughout 2025. The grants represent almost two-thirds of AAP's federal funding, and if allowed to take effect, would have forced the organization to lay off about ten percent of its staff. Howell concluded that HHS had a likely "retaliatory motive" for the terminations, due to the AAP's outspoken opposition to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The AAP publicly broke with HHS last year, continuing to recommend that children receive the COVID-19 vaccine after the Food and Drug Administration issued a smaller indication for the updated shot, no longer approving it for healthy young children. The group also spoke out when Kennedy fired the entire vaccine advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This action drew Kennedy's ire, with the secretary taking to social media soon after to accuse the organization of being "corporate friendly," an accusation he frequently lobs at his opponents. "This is not a case about whether AAP or HHS is right or even has the better position on vaccinations and gender-affirming care for children, or any other public health policy," Howell wrote in his ruling. "This is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate by retaliating against a leading and generally trusted pediatrician member professional organization focused on improving the health of children." |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. |
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Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Monday released the findings of his investigation into UnitedHealth Group’s (UHG) Medicare Advantage billing practices, alleging the health insurer used “aggressive strategies” to maximize risk adjustment scores and worked against federal efforts to tamp down overspending. Last year, Grassley launched an investigation into UHG’s billing practices after The Wall Street … |
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NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend yielded no breakthroughs in disputes with three major hospital systems over staffing, benefits and other issues. "Nurses on strike! … Fair contract now!" nurses shouted on a picket line outside NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s campus in Upper Manhattan. Others picketed at hospitals in the Mount Sinai … |
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A federal judge late Sunday ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), after the organization's funding was abruptly cut last month. Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted a preliminary injunction that will restore the grants and block the cuts from taking … |
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Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: |
- The Senate HELP Committee holds a Wednesday hearing about the abortion pill mifepristone.
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Branch out with a different read: |
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Kennedy shakes up dietary guidelines: Winners and losers |
The Trump administration says its new dietary guidelines mark a revolution for U.S. food culture, placing an emphasis on whole foods like meats, whole-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables — while cutting down on carbohydrates. While some aspects have been welcomed by medical and dietary voices, there are plenty of questions and critiques about Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "upside-down" food pyramid. … |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Missouri abortion regulations go on trial Monday. Widespread access is at stake (Missouri Independent)
- Illinois extends enrollment deadline for health insurance plans beginning Feb. 1 (Capitol News Illinois)
- DHS: Wisconsin kids should continue to get recommended vaccines despite federal change (Wisconsin Public Radio)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- These drugs are risky for dementia patients. Doctors prescribe them anyway (Washington Post)
- ChatGPT and Claude get into the business of health advice. Should you trust them? (Stat)
- 'Abortion as homicide' debate in South Carolina exposes GOP rift as states weigh new restrictions (KFF Health News)
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