19-state coalition sues HHS over restructuring, mass firings
A coalition of 19 states is suing President Donald Trump’s administration over the mass layoffs and chaos caused by the restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is currently headed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The lawsuit—filed in a Rhode Island federal court—argues that the firings effectively brought the agency to a “sudden halt,” with its “critical offices … left unable to perform statutory functions.” The states argue that may be the point, claiming Trump and Kennedy have worked to “dismantle” HHS and “systematically deprived” its critical departments of the resources necessary for remaining staff to do their jobs.
The plaintiffs argue that HHS dysfunction is making it harder for states and municipalities to govern, as they’ve been cut off from data necessary to develop public health initiatives. Further, grants related to Head Start preschool, worker safety, public inoculations and more have been paused, leading to payroll lapses.
In this regard, the lawsuit mirrors multiple pending cases from unions and municipalities, arguing that the grants need to be paid out, as the money was allocated by Congress and has already factored into budgets for public health initiatives.
However, the filing by the coalition of states extends further, with claims that HHS has closed labs responsible for disease testing, forcing providers and researchers to "find new partners to handle their most difficult testing needs that had previously been handled by the CDC."
The lawsuit is asking a federal court to halt the restructuring and firings at HHS, arguing that the gutting of workers exceeds the authority of the executive branch, as the agency and its programs are authorized by Congress.
The complaint was filed on May 5. So far, New York, Washington, Rhode Island, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington D.C. have all signed on as plaintiffs, with Kennedy, in his capacity as HHS secretary, listed as a defendant.
In a statement to the media, HHS said it was “confident that the process will withstand legal scrutiny” and that courts will agree its restructuring is completely legal.
It’s unclear if and when the case will move forward.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.