By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey officials are celebrating a legal victory that protects critical federal health funding after a federal court halted a move to rescind billions in grants nationwide.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a temporary restraining order this week preventing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from cutting off more than $11 billion in public health grants.
The decision directly impacts New Jersey, preserving over $350 million in funding that supports mental health services, addiction recovery programs, and community health centers across the state.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin applauded the court’s decision, calling it a vital step in maintaining essential health care resources.
“We are thrilled with today’s ruling, which puts a halt to the Trump Administration’s cruel attempt to claw back hundreds of millions of dollars in public health funding from New Jersey,” Platkin said.
“With the court’s decision today, New Jersey can continue to provide critical services for those with mental health concerns, people recovering from substance abuse issues, and patients at community health centers. We will continue our office’s work to prevent these devastating cuts from ever taking effect.”
The ruling comes just days after Attorney General Platkin joined a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on April 1, challenging the legality of the funding termination and seeking immediate judicial intervention to block it.
New Jersey was one of 23 states and the District of Columbia to participate in the lawsuit, which also included support from the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Other states in the coalition include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The temporary restraining order ensures the funding remains intact while the case proceeds, offering relief to states and health providers relying on these federal grants to serve some of the most vulnerable populations.