On April 3, 2025, federal judge Mary McElroy blocked the Trump administration from cutting $11 billion in state health grants. The Trump appointee from Rhode Island sided with 24 governors and attorneys general in issuing a temporary restraining order to freeze the attempt.
The Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., rescinded the funds on March 24, 2025. This rescindment happened despite states being previously allowed to use the funds through 2027. However, on April 1, 2025, the District of Columbia, alongside 23 states, filed a lawsuit challenging this decision. In response, Judge McElroy granted a temporary restraining order to stop the funding cuts.
Judge McElroy focused on blocking the attempt because the harmful implications would fall on the states. This rescindment of health funds would lead to layoffs, disruption of vaccine infrastructure and the breakdown of mental health and substance abuse programs across the country.
“Given that the government really hasn’t had time to make any kind of objection except a broad objection, I don’t see how I can deny the temporary restraining order on the record that’s before the court, which, again: quite voluminous,” said McElroy.
The sudden rescission of funds gave the states a strong argument that this move possibly violated administrative procedure, and aided in McElroy granting the TRO. Despite McElroy being a Trump appointee, she ruled against his administration, which suggests that the legal arguments were strong enough to outweigh any political bias the judge may or may not have had to her party.
Despite the effort of all the plaintiffs involved in getting the TRO, it will only last a few weeks. The court will soon hold a hearing to decide whether a preliminary injunction should be issued to block the funding cuts for a longer period of time. The case may go to trial as the lawsuit plays out.
The long-term impacts this disruption of funds will have on Utah residents will depend on the result of the legal proceedings and whether the federal funding is permanently restored.
Author: Lexie Nelson
Photo courtesy of Kevin Dietsch
Editor: Anna Mower
news@suunews.net
