Kansas City joins lawsuit against the federal government

Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City has come together with four other local governments and a labor union representing state and local government employees to launch a federal lawsuit against what they call an “unlawful decision” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Led by Harris County Attorney Christian Menafee, the court action seeks to reverse HHS’s cancellation of essential public health programs Congress had meant to carry on regardless of the state of the public health emergency.

Initially supported by pandemic-related legislation, the federal programs in question include vital services such as vaccines, disease tracking, and public health staffing support. Importantly, these projects were not meant to end with the end of the public health emergency—a source of dispute underlined in the complaint.

“At a time when measles threatens our young people and Kansas Citians in need of lifesaving cures see federal research funding slashed, I believe it’s important that we as cities and people stand up for common sense and public health in the courts,” said Mayor Lucas. “I am proud to join other mayors and cities who will continue working to save lives in Kansas City and around our country while the federal government plays politics.”

Locally, the effects of the dismissed grants are already being felt. Despite considerable personnel training and certification expenditures, the Kansas City Public Health Department has had to stop building an infectious disease testing facility. Programs using community health workers in underprivileged communities are also under danger of shutting down.

HHS’s March termination of these funding was justified given the federal public health emergency’s conclusion; however, the lawsuit disputes this justification. Funding these initiatives, the law neglected to attach their ongoing operation to the public health emergency declaration, which has caused major service and community safety gaps.

“This funding was never meant to be temporary—it was a critical investment in our country’s ability to respond to current and future health threats,” said Dr. Marvia Jones, Director of the Kansas City Health Department. Cutting these programs now is not just shortsighted, it’s dangerous. Kansas City is standing up because our residents deserve consistent, reliable public health protections—not uncertainty driven by bureaucratic decisions that ignore Congressional intent.”

Read also: Streetcar mass casualty simulation set for May 2 to boost Kansas City’s emergency readiness

Formally named Harris County et. al. v. HHS et. al., the lawsuit has been lodged in the District Court for the District of Columbia. It emphasizes a rising conflict between federal orders and the legislative purpose of Congress, so preparing the ground for a major judicial fight over the control and ongoing of public health financing in the United States.