A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction in a multistate lawsuit joined by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, temporarily blocking the Kennedy administration’s plan to restructure the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and lay off thousands of employees.
Per the news release distributed on Tuesday, July 1: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today secured a preliminary injunction halting Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ensuring continued access to critical public health and social service programs. On May 5, Attorney General Brown joined a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in suing to stop the administration’s sweeping and unlawful directive, which left HHS unable to carry out many of its most vital functions. Today, Judge Melissa R. DuBose of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island blocked the administration’s mass layoffs at several key HHS agencies while the case proceeds.
“Marylanders count on HHS programs every single day, from substance abuse treatment programs that help families in crisis to maternal health initiatives that ensure safe pregnancies and births,” said Attorney General Brown. “Today’s court ruling ensures these life-saving programs remain intact while we continue our legal fight to protect the health and wellbeing of Marylanders and their families.”
On March 27, Secretary Kennedy announced a sweeping restructuring of HHS. The plan collapsed 28 agencies into 15; terminated 10,000 employees without warning; and left key HHS offices shuttered or in disarray. Many workers learned they were fired only after being locked out of their offices and deactivated from government systems.
In their lawsuit, Attorney General Brown and the multistate coalition argued that this unlawful overhaul immediately endangered lives and left crucial systems in chaos. The overhaul cut off federal support for Head Start centers, suspended maternal health data collection, and nearly shuttered disease monitoring at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The administration also terminated the entire team responsible for updating federal poverty guidelines—a tool used to determine eligibility for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and housing assistance.
Today, Judge DuBose granted the states’ request for a preliminary injunction, blocking further implementation of the restructuring and stopping the termination of employees across four critical offices:
-
The CDC, including the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
-
The Center for Tobacco Products
-
The Office of Head Start
-
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Joining Attorney General Brown in this lawsuit were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.”