Overview
- U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell issued the order on Jan. 11, directing HHS to reinstate seven grants awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Her ruling found evidence of a likely retaliatory motive and pointed to officials’ pejorative remarks about AAP’s support for childhood vaccines and gender-affirming care as clear animus.
- The grants, canceled Dec. 16, funded efforts on sudden unexpected infant death prevention, rural pediatric care, early identification of disabilities, and support for teens facing substance use and mental health challenges.
- AAP alleges unconstitutional retaliation for its advocacy, while HHS says the awards no longer fit departmental priorities and declined to comment on the ruling.
- The dispute tracks AAP’s break with federal vaccine guidance under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and comes as a separate Boston case brought by medical groups moves forward.