A federal appeals court has refused the Trump administration’s request to resume sweeping layoffs and reorganization of HHS, The Hill reported Sept. 18.
In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift a lower court order that halts the administration’s attempt to terminate 10,000 HHS employees and dismantle some agency divisions.
The court ruling comes after a July 1 preliminary injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose for the District of Rhode Island, preventing the administration from reducing CDC staff, Center for Tobacco Products staff, the office of Head Start and Head Start employees in regional offices and staff at the office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
The lawsuit, filed in early May on behalf of 19 states and the District of Columbia, was filed to block the layoffs, citing them as “unconstitutional and illegal dismantling of the department.”
With the panel denying the administration’s request, the administration could now appeal to the Supreme Court, The Hill reported.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
