Neronha co-leads lawsuit against HHS for terminating $11 billion in public health grants

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that he is co-leading a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for terminating almost $11 billion in public health grants to the states.

On March 24, HHS terminated the grants “‘for cause’ effective immediately,” and claimed that the funding was not needed since the pandemic is over, according to Neronha.

In the lawsuit, the coalition of attorneys general claim the terminations are unlawful since the end of the pandemic is not a “for cause” reason to stop the funding, and that the funds are not tied to the end of COVID-19.

According to Neronha, the cancellation of the grants would cause Rhode Island to lose over $31 million for health programs across the state, which could impact childhood vaccinations and immunizations, create health disparities among high-risk and undeserved populations, and influence laboratory testing capacity.

“This massive and egregiously irresponsible cut of public health funding should put everyone on high alert to the depths this Administration is willing to go,” Neronha said. “First and foremost, Americans expect their government to protect them from harm. By eliminating billions in critical funding for essential public health initiatives, the Administration is effectively telling the American people to fend for themselves. Here in Rhode Island, these cuts will defund programs which ensure our children are properly vaccinated and immunized from preventable disease, and which address health disparities in low-income communities, among others.”

According to Neronha, the coalition wants a temporary restraining order to invalidate the grant terminations in the suing states, and claim it violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Additionally, the attorney generals want to prevent HHS or any agency from applying the terminations.

The coalition is made up of 25 attorneys general, which include Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts.