American Academy of Pediatrics loses government funding after criticizing RFK Jr

"AAP learned this week that seven grants to AAP under the US Department of Health and Human Services are being terminated. This vital work spanned multiple child health priorities, including reducing sudden infant death, rural access to health care, mental health, adolescent health, supporting children with birth defects, early identification of autism, and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, among other topics."

"The funding cuts, which affect projects focused on issues including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and early identification of autism, were first reported by the Washington Post and made without prior notice to the AAP. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told the Washington Post that the grants were terminated because they no longer align with departmental priorities. The Guardian has contacted HHS for comment."

HHS has terminated several multi-million-dollar grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics after the AAP criticized Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr's policies. The funding cuts affect projects on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, early identification of autism, sudden infant death reduction, rural health access, mental and adolescent health, support for children with birth defects, and other child-health priorities. Seven grants were terminated without prior notice, according to the AAP. AAP warned that the sudden withdrawal could directly harm infants, children, youth, and families and said it is exploring options including legal recourse. HHS said the grants no longer align with departmental priorities and cited identity-based language in AAP materials.

Read at www.theguardian.com