Attorney General Nick Brown joins 18 others in challenging U.S. Health and Human Services cuts

Nineteen states, led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, filed a lawsuit on May 5 against the U. S. Health and Human Services agency, challenging significant workforce cuts enacted by the Trump administration. The restructuring eliminated over 10,000 positions, reducing the HHS workforce by 25% and collapsing 28 agencies into 15. Brown argues that these actions infringe on Congressional authority to create and fund health programs.

The cuts have restricted laboratory testing for infectious diseases and jeopardized funding for early childhood learning programs. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. maintains that the layoffs aim to streamline operations and reduce redundancies. The lawsuit seeks to vacate the directive that Brown claims undermines vital health services.

This legal challenge reflects growing concerns over the impact of administrative changes on public health infrastructure. The outcome could have lasting implications for health policy and funding at the federal and state levels.