Overview
On April 24, 2025, several local governments filed a lawsuit against U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Susan Monarez. The plaintiffs include Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).1 The lawsuit challenges the abrupt end of more than $11 billion in federal public health grants, which were crucial to local pandemic response and preparedness efforts.
Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress appropriated billions through various bills to strengthen public health infrastructure. These funds supported various disease surveillance, vaccination programs, and community health initiatives. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed in March 2020 included language to support the U.S. healthcare system, which addressed a range of issues related to education, labor, health policy, Medicare, Medicaid, public health, and over-the-counter drugs.2 The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act signed in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed in March 2021 appropriated supplemental COVID-19 response and relief appropriations and multiple other measures.3
However, on March 24, 2025, HHS and CDC sent letters to state authorities and counties issuing mass termination of these grants, citing the pandemic’s official end.4 In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim, “Defendants’ Mass Termination Decision did not entail any particularized consideration of the targeted grants, let alone reasoned evaluation of the permissible grounds for terminating the grants.”5
While previous lawsuits related to the federal freeze of grant funds have involved states, this lawsuit is different in that it comes from cities and counties directly. View this FORsight™ for further information about the lawsuit filed by 23 states and Washington, D.C., against HHS funding cuts.
Relief Sought
The plaintiffs are requesting the following relief from the court:
- To overturn HHS and CDC’s Mass Termination Decision.
- To cancel the termination of the HHS and CDC grants for Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; and AFSCME.
- To order the reinstatement of the eliminated grant programs and allocation of funds as specified by several federal laws, including the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, ARPA, and others.
- To reinstate the plaintiffs’ grants for the awarded project periods and to continue to administer the grants to the same extent and in the same manner as prior to the terminations, in accordance with the governing statutes and regulations.
- To award the plaintiffs for their costs and reasonable attorney fees.
- To grant any other relief as the court may deem just and proper.
The case is still in its preliminary stages. Our team is monitoring the lawsuit and can help impacted entities with funding questions and next steps. For further inquiries or assistance, please reach out to a professional at Forvis Mazars.
In addition, Forvis Mazars is hosting a webinar on the impact of grant funding freezes. Gain insights to help your entity plan financially and strategize for potential disruptions, and how to prepare for the future. Sign up today to secure your place!
- Preparing for Future Funding Challenges – Wednesday, May 28 • 1 p.m. ET
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Some of the issues mentioned may require consultation with a qualified attorney specific to your situation.
- 1“KCMO and Others v. HHS and CDC, Case No. 1:25-cv-01275. Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief. United States District Court for the District of Columbia,” fox4kc.com, April 2025.
- 2“HHS Issues Termination Notices for Health Grant Funding,” naco.org, April 7, 2025.
- 3“Tallying Federal Funding for COVID-19: In Brief,” crsreports.congress.gov, October 15, 2021.
- 4“HHS Issues Termination Notices for Health Grant Funding,” naco.org, April 7, 2025.
- 5“KCMO and Others v. HHS and CDC, Case No. 1:25-cv-01275. Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief. United States District Court for the District of Columbia,” fox4kc.com, April 2025.