HHS cuts millions in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics

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.

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.

The cuts were first reported by The Washington Post.

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.