Judge Blocks HHS From Abruptly Terminating $12 Billion In State Health Grants Allocated During The COVID-19 Pandemic

On April 3, 2025, a federal judge ruled to temporarily prevent the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from abruptly ending a variety of funding streams to states totaling $12 billion that was allocated during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds were for public health programs and mental health and addiction treatment. On March 24, 2025, HHS informed states that the grants were terminated for cause because the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration had expired in April 2023.

The funds include $11.4 billion in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC . . .