States Sue United States HHS Over Cuts

Attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C., led by United States — New York Attorney General Letitia James, have filed a lawsuit in federal court in United States — Rhode Island challenging the massive restructuring and budget cuts at the United States — United States Department of Health and Human Services. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. initiated the restructuring in March, eliminating over 10,000 employees and consolidating 28 agencies into 15, following previous cuts by the Donald Trump administration. The attorneys general argue that these cuts, part of the 'Make America Healthy Again' directive, have destroyed life-saving programs, hampered responses to health crises like measles outbreaks, and left states to bear the financial burden. They seek to vacate the directive, asserting that the administration cannot unilaterally eliminate programs and funding established by Congress. The cuts have impacted various critical functions, including infectious disease testing, cancer risk tracking, early childhood learning programs, and the United States — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, as well as programs like United States — Medicare and United States — Medicaid.