Health Department Cancels Grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cancelled seven grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), saying the organization "no longer align[s] with the department's mission or priorities."

The Details: AAP says the grants supported work aimed at reducing sudden infant death, early detection of autism, mental health services, adolescent health, rural healthcare access, and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

For Context: In 2025, AAP received 16 grants from HHS totaling about $18.4 million. The exact amount of the cancelled grants has not been released yet. The CEO of AAP, Mark Del Monte, said, "The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States." 

Where AAP Differs from HHS: HHS officials cited the AAP's use of "identity-based language" and insufficient focus on nutrition and chronic disease prevention. The AAP has criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s skepticism of vaccines and has recommended the COVID-19 vaccine for infants and toddlers against Centers for Disease Control guidelines.

How the Media Covered It: Outlets on the left framed the grant cancellations as retaliatory for AAP's criticism of Kennedy and his vaccine policies. New York Times (Lean Left bias) wrote the headline, "Health Dept. Cancels Grants to Group That Criticized Kennedy's Vaccine Policies." Similarly, Washington Post (Lean Left) wrote, "American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr." Reuters (Center) included the group's criticism of Kennedy but did not make note of it in its headline, "US Health Department cancels millions of dollars in grants to American Academy of Pediatrics." Outlets on the right also made note of AAP's criticism of Kennedy, with The Epoch Times (Lean Right) noting AAP's recommendation against the use of leucovorin for children with autism, which Kennedy supports.