Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks HHS From Cutting $11 Billion in Public Health Funding

A coalition of states is likely to succeed in their arguments that the funding block is unlawful, Judge Mary McElroy said.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks after being sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services, in the Oval Office of the White House, on Feb. 13, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

A federal judge on April 3 granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from cutting more than $11 billion in public health funding.

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy in Rhode Island said a coalition of 23 states and the District of Columbia had demonstrated they would likely succeed in their arguments. She issued a 14-day restraining order barring HHS and its agencies from implementing the cuts while the litigation plays out.