A coalition of Democratic state officials sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over a plan to cut the Department of Health and Human Services’ grants of more than $11 billion.

In Washington, Republican chairman and top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee wrote HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

A federal lawsuit signed by 22 attorney generals and two Democrat governors alleges that Kennedy has revoked without warning the billions of grant funds allocated by Congress during the Covid-19 pandemic that began last week. As a result, the state has been rushing to coordinate plans such as vaccination efforts, infection prevention and mental health programs.

The sudden, chaotic development of the grant foresaw a scene Tuesday morning at the HHS office, including Maryland’s big campus. That was the notification of termination to fired workers. It is reportedly I sent an email early on Tuesday, but it turns out that many workers didn’t see them before they arrived at the office, leaving them without work when their key cards didn’t work.

Some details

Both the massive layoffs and grant funding cuts were challenged in a lawsuit stemming from Kennedy’s March 27 announcement. The department will be “reorganised.” By closing several offices and cutting 10,000 workers.

It was unclear exactly which offices and employees were affected on Tuesday.

A spokesman for HHS responded to requests for comment by referring to the state newsroom. Kennedy’s announcementa press release And accompanying it Factsheet Starting March 27th.

None provided detailed breakdowns, but it has plans to eliminate 3,500 full-time positions at the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 staff at the National Institutes of Health, and 300 workers at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The spokesman did not respond to a follow-up investigation requesting details of the excluded position or other explanations.

Efficiency was doubted

In a written statement, Andres Aguero, a policy fellow for the Basic Group, said he is a think tank focused on economic equity.

“Stopping 10,000 civil servants means higher costs, longer wait times and less service for families who are already struggling to raise the cost of living,” writes Arguello, HHS deputy secretary to former President Joe Biden. “The entire office supporting childcare, energy aid and mental health care has been demolished, leaving workers with fewer options and larger bills. This has not been streamlined. It has not been abandoned.

The lack of communication has caused confusion between staff and local health workers about the impact of staff, raising questions about the administration’s goals, a speaker said during a press conference call on Tuesday.

“There are more questions right now than the answer,” said Sharon Gilmartin, executive director of the Safe States Alliance, an anti-violence advocacy group. “They clearly eliminate the entire sector and the entire branch that doesn’t speak of bureaucratic rationalization, which speaks to moving forward with an unexplained agenda for the public health community.

Although specific results of the cut are not yet known, Gilmartin and others said it can be felt at the state and local level.

“I think what we know is when we cut these positions at the federal level, we’re cutting jobs in our states and communities,” Gilmartin said.

State pain

Litigation Democrat officials are full of details about the impact of federal funding losses on state programs.

The lawsuit is by Attorney General of Colorado, Rhode Island, and Andy Besher of Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island, California, Minnesota, Washington, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Newsy York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.

HHS has revoked a “more than $5 billion” grant from Pennsylvania, Democrats said it affected more than 150 state employees and contract staff. The grant “funded mental health and substance abuse programs to respond and alleviate spreading of infectious diseases throughout the federation.

In Nevada, “HHS “suddenly terminated at least six grants” which funded epidemiology and experimental capabilities, vaccinations and mental health services.

“These terminations led Nevada to immediately terminate 48 state employees and immediately suspend all activities by ordering contractors working under these awards,” the complaint reads. “The loss of funds will have a major impact on public health in Nevada.”

The $13 million cutoff for local communities in Minnesota means shutting down clinics that provide vaccines for Covid-19, measles, mumps, flu and other illnesses.

“Local public health agencies have held 21 pediatric vaccination clinics and reported that they provided about 1,400 vaccinations to their children in 2024,” states a complaint paragraph about Minnesota’s local vaccine clinic. “We also held 87 general vaccination clinics in 2024. … As a result of the end of funds, all vaccination clinics in 2025 were immediately suspended.”

The end of the grant also affected the state’s plans already under work.

Rhode Island had received an extension from HHS for a $13 million unattended grant, which was cancelled last week.

“Therefore, the state’s public health department has developed a work plan for vaccination programs, including the April 2025 vaccination clinic for seniors, providing salaries to highly trained technicians, storing vaccine doses and planning to properly store, refrigerate, and upgrade computer systems to prevent wastage of vaccines purchased at other tax costs.”

Senators want RFK Jr. on the hill

Capitol Hill Democrats have issued numerous statements against the cuts and warnings of their impact.

Republicans were more cautious about the administration and wanted patience as details of the cut were revealed.

However, letters from top members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee asked them to combine both sides with Kennedy and clarify those explanations before the committee.

“The hearing will discuss a proposal to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services.” letter Louisiana Republicans Bill Cassidy and Vermont Independence Bernie Sanders said.

In a written statement, Cassidy said the hearing would be an opportunity for Kennedy to inform the public about the reorganization.

“HHS Reorg news reports are set up by anonymous sources, and opponents are setting awareness,” Cassidy said in writing. “In the confirmation process, RFK has committed to coming to the committee quarterly, which will be a good opportunity for him to set the record straight and talk about the goals, structure and benefits of the proposed reorganization.”

Last updated at 5:40pm, April 1, 2025