HHS cuts millions in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hhs-cuts-millions-grants-american-academy-pediatrics-rcna249769

HHS cuts millions in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics
The move is an escalation in the agency’s clash with the medical group, which is suing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy.


The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated seven grants totaling millions of dollars to the American Academy of Pediatrics, escalating its confrontation with the group, which is suing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy.

The grants supported initiatives aimed at reducing sudden infant deaths, improving teen and young adult health, preventing birth defects, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, and identifying autism early, according to an academy spokesperson.


In an emailed statement, Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, said the grants “were canceled along with a number of other grants to other organizations because they no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities.”

When NBC News asked about the agency’s priorities, Nixon responded by sending links to “about” pages on websites of HHS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Mark Del Monte, the academy’s CEO and executive vice president, said the group learned this week that the grants had been terminated and was now exploring “all available options, including legal recourse.”