{"id":1942,"date":"2026-01-07T20:22:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T01:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/?p=1942"},"modified":"2026-01-07T21:31:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T02:31:52","slug":"dismantling-hhs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/","title":{"rendered":"Dismantling HHS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Press_Release**_0\"><strong>Press Release<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/ag\/press-releases\/2025-press-releases\/attorney-general-tong-sues-to-stop-dismantling-of-health-and-human-services-department\">Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Sues to Stop Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Health and Human Ser\u00advices Depart\u00adment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Preceding_Event**_0\"><strong>Preceding Event<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of Pres\u00adi\u00addent Don\u00adald Trump and Elon Musk\u2019s Depart\u00adment of Gov\u00adern\u00adment Effi\u00adcien\u00adcy ini\u00adtia\u00adtives, Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Health and Human Ser\u00advices (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a restruc\u00adtur\u00ading of the depart\u00adment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/press-room\/hhs-restructuring-doge.html\">announce\u00adment<\/a>&nbsp;said the changes to HHS would save tax\u00adpay\u00aders $1.8 bil\u00adlion per year. Accord\u00ading to the announce\u00adment, the depart\u00admen\u00adt\u2019s divi\u00adsions would shrink from 28 to 15. Region\u00adal offices of the depart\u00adment would be reduced from 10 to five. The work\u00adforce was intend\u00aded to be cut to 65,000 from 85,000 (62,000 from 82,000 accord\u00ading to the HHS press release). Accord\u00ading to the suit, on March 27, 2025 HHS issues a press release announc\u00ading \u201cit would send ter\u00admi\u00adna\u00adtion notices to 10,000 HHS employ\u00adees and shut\u00adter dozens of agen\u00adcies as part of Sec\u00adre\u00adtary Kennedy\u2019s direc\u00adtive to \u2018Make Amer\u00adi\u00adca Healthy Again\u2019.\u201d Then, on April 1, 2025 rough\u00adly 10,000 employ\u00adees were ter\u00admi\u00adnat\u00aded from across the coun\u00adtry. Half of HHS\u2019s offices around the nation were closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**General_Overview**_0\"><strong>General Overview<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal William Tong joined 20 attor\u00adneys in fil\u00ading a law\u00adsuit against Kennedy, HHS and oth\u00ader Trump admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion offi\u00adcials in order to try to stop the admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion from dis\u00adman\u00adtling HHS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAttor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong and the coali\u00adtion argue that these sweep\u00ading actions are in clear vio\u00adla\u00adtion of hun\u00addreds of fed\u00ader\u00adal statutes and reg\u00adu\u00adla\u00adtions, and that the Trump admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion does not have the author\u00adi\u00adty to make these reck\u00adless changes,\u201d the press release said. The attor\u00adneys gen\u00ader\u00adal alleged that by tak\u00ading these actions with\u00adout con\u00adgres\u00adsion\u00adal approval, the admin\u00adis\u00adtra\u00adtion is dis\u00adre\u00adgard\u00ading the con\u00adsti\u00adtu\u00adtion\u00adal sep\u00ada\u00adra\u00adtion of pow\u00aders and under\u00admin\u00ading the laws and bud\u00adgets enact\u00aded by Con\u00adgress to pro\u00adtect pub\u00adlic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe coali\u00adtion is urg\u00ading the court to halt the mass fir\u00adings, reverse the ille\u00adgal reor\u00adga\u00adni\u00adza\u00adtion, and restore the crit\u00adi\u00adcal health ser\u00advices that mil\u00adlions of Amer\u00adi\u00adcans depend on,\u201d the law\u00adsuit said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Connecticut_Nexus**_0\"><strong>Connecticut Nexus:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In the March 27, 2025 direc\u00adtive, divi\u00adsions that pro\u00advid\u00aded resources and funds for states and their agen\u00adcies to con\u00adduct research to fur\u00adther health and well\u00adness were closed. The Preg\u00adnan\u00adcy Risk Assess\u00adment Mon\u00adi\u00adtor\u00ading Sys\u00adtem (PRAMS), was one of these pro\u00adgrams that received grants from the Cen\u00adter for Dis\u00adease Con\u00adtrol, which is part of the HHS. This pro\u00adgram is no longer in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The law\u00adsuit stat\u00aded, \u201cPlain\u00adtiff Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut, as one exam\u00adple, uses PRAMS data to col\u00adlab\u00ado\u00adrate with com\u00admu\u00adni\u00adty and state orga\u00adni\u00adza\u00adtions and pro\u00advide insight into the expe\u00adri\u00adences of the Med\u00adic\u00adaid pop\u00adu\u00adla\u00adtion dur\u00ading preg\u00adnan\u00adcy,\u201d the law\u00adsuit said. \u201cThis sup\u00adport\u00aded the devel\u00adop\u00adment of the HUSKY Mater\u00adni\u00adty Bun\u00addle, an ini\u00adtia\u00adtive aimed at improv\u00ading out\u00adcomes for peo\u00adple on Med\u00adic\u00adaid that launched this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Date_of_filing**_0\"><strong>Date of filing<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>May 5, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_#**_0\"><strong>Case #<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/ag\/press_releases\/2025\/state-of-new-york-v-kennedy-jr.pdf\">1:25-cv-00196<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_title**_0\"><strong>Case title:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>State of New York et al v. Kennedy et al<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Plaintiffs**_19_states_and_D.C._0\"><strong>Plaintiffs<\/strong>: 19 states and D.C.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>STATE OF NEW YORK;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WASHINGTON;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF RHODE ISLAND;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ARIZONA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CALIFORNIA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF COLORADO;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CONNECTICUT;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF DELAWARE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF HAWAI\u2018I;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ILLINOIS;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MAINE;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MARYLAND;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MINNESOTA;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW JERSEY;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW MEXICO;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF OREGON;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF VERMONT;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WISCONSIN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Defendants**_0\"><strong>Defendants<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR., in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SUSAN MONAREZ, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as ACTING DIRECTOR, FIRST ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MARTIN A. MAKARY in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as COMMISSIONER OF THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ANDREW GRADISON, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MARY LAZARE in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ARTHUR KLEINSCHMIDT, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Court**_0\"><strong>Court<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF RHODE ISLAND<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Status_as_of_Dec._1,_2025**_0\"><strong>Status as of Dec. 1, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OPEN<br>Last fil\u00ading: Nov. 19, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Lawsuit Index\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">chrono\u00adlog\u00adi\u00adcal Index of law\u00adsuits <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/birthright-citizenship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Birthright Cit\u00adi\u00adzen\u00adship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-federal-funding-freeze-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading Freeze to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-doges-access-to-treasury-systems\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOGE\u2019s Access to Trea\u00adsury Sys\u00adtems<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/nih-and-hhs-funding-for-medical-research\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014NIH and HHS Fund\u00ading for Med\u00adical Research<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/power-given-to-musk\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pow\u00ader Giv\u00aden to Musk<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/mass-firings-of-federal-probationary-employees\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Mass Fir\u00adings of Fed\u00ader\u00adal Pro\u00adba\u00adtion\u00adary Employ\u00adees<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Depart\u00adment<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014HHS Cuts $11 Bil\u00adlion in Pub\u00adlic Health Grants to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/voting-rights-and-elections-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Vot\u00ading Rights and Elec\u00adtions Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/attack-on-museums-libraries-workers\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Attack on Muse\u00adums, Libraries &amp; Work\u00aders<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/stopping-tariffs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Stop\u00adping Tar\u00adiffs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/k-12-funding-conditions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014K\u201112 Fund\u00ading Con\u00addi\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-of-americorps\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Ameri\u00adCorps<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/halting-wind-energy\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Halt\u00ading Wind Ener\u00adgy<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling HHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/big-oil-and-energy-emergency\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Big Oil and Ener\u00adgy Emer\u00adgency<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dhs-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DOT<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/protecting-science-research-and-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pro\u00adtect\u00ading Sci\u00adence and Research Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/mental-health-funding-cuts-in-k-12\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Men\u00adtal Health Fund\u00ading Cuts in K\u201112<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/sharing-health-information-with-ice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Shar\u00ading Health Infor\u00adma\u00adtion With ICE<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/the-freezing-of-6-8-billion-in-education-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Freez\u00ading of $6.8 Bil\u00adlion in Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/cutting-disaster-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Cut\u00adting Dis\u00adas\u00adter Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/1-8-million-people-losing-health-insurance\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u20141.8 Mil\u00adlion Peo\u00adple Los\u00ading Health Insur\u00adance<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-restrictions-on-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Restric\u00adtions on Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/usda-demands-snap-recipient-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014USDA Demands SNAP Recip\u00adi\u00adent Infor\u00adma\u00adtion<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/medicaid-funding-for-planned-parenthood\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Med\u00adic\u00adaid Fund\u00ading for Planned Par\u00adent\u00adhood<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/gender-affirming-care\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Gen\u00adder Affirm\u00ading Care<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/doe-funding-cap-for-state-energy-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOE Fund\u00ading Cap for State Ener\u00adgy Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Vic\u00adtims of Crime Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/revolution-wind-stop-work-order\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Rev\u00ado\u00adlu\u00adtion Wind Stop Work Order<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-sex-ed-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Sex Ed Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/homeland-security-funding-cuts\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty Fund\u00ading Cuts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/second-lawsuit-against-doj-for-crime-survivors\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sec\u00adond Law\u00adsuit Against DOJ for Crime Sur\u00advivors<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/suspending-snap-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sus\u00adpend\u00ading SNAP Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/public-service-loan-forgiveness-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pub\u00adlic Ser\u00advice Loan For\u00adgive\u00adness Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Changes in HUD Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/snap-immigration-eligibility-changes\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014SNAP Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Eli\u00adgi\u00adbil\u00adi\u00adty Changes<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press Release: Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal Tong Sues to Stop Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Health and Human Ser\u00advices Depart\u00adment Pre\u00adced\u00ading Event: As part of Pres\u00adi\u00addent Don\u00adald Trump and Elon Musk\u2019s Depart\u00adment of Gov\u00adern\u00adment Effi\u00adcien\u00adcy ini\u00adtia\u00adtives, Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Health and Human Ser\u00advices (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a restruc\u00adtur\u00ading of the depart\u00adment. The&nbsp;announce\u00adment&nbsp;said the changes to HHS would save [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lawsuits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1911,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":0},"title":"HHS Cuts $11 Billion in Public Health Grants to States","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues to Overturn Public Health Grant Cuts Preceding Event: On March 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began terminating $11 billion of health funding to states and state agencies. According to the lawsuit, the administration said the funding was no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1998,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/sharing-health-information-with-ice\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":1},"title":"Sharing Health Information with ICE","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Sharing Personal Health Data with ICE Preceding Event: According to the press release from July 1, 2025, \"On June 13, 2025, states learned through news reports that HHS has transferred en masse their state\u2019s Medicaid data files, containing personal health\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1818,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/nih-and-hhs-funding-for-medical-research\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":2},"title":"NIH and HHS Funding for Medical Research","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues to Stop Trump from Defunding Lifesaving Medical Research Preceding Event: The National Institute of Health announced on Feb. 7, 2025 that it was going to cut grant rates to 15% across the board. According to the plaintiffs, this would jeopardize medical research done at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2012,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/1-8-million-people-losing-health-insurance\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":3},"title":"1.8 Million People Losing Health Insurance","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Rule Preceding Event: Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 with the goal of insuring more people and making insurance more affordable. Annual enrollment on the ACA marketplaces have doubled in the past 5 years, serving over 24 million people signing up\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2028,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-sex-ed-funding\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":4},"title":"Conditions on Sex Ed Funding","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Illegal Conditions on Programs that Support Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Preceding Event: On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued\u00a0Executive Order 14168\u00a0which states, \u201cit is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1848,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/","url_meta":{"origin":1942,"position":5},"title":"Dismantling Education Department","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: AG Tong Sues to Stop Dismantling of Department of Education and to Protect Students Preceding Event: On March 11, 2025, the Department of Education (ED) put out a\u00a0press release\u00a0regarding a cut in the Department's workforce initiating a reduction in force \"as part of the Department of Education's final\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgTa6m-vk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1942"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1948,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1942\/revisions\/1948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}