The Department of Health and Human Services rescinded $11.4 billion in funds to states, cities and organizations receiving grants for COVID-19 efforts and other public health programs. Meanwhile, the HHS told employees to identify contracts that lead to censorship or misinformation on topics not limited to COVID-19.

U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy said there was “quite voluminous” evidence that the cuts would do immeasurable harm nationwide, including in RI.

A coalition of states sued over the Trump administration’s unexpected move to cut off the funds, which they said imperiled everything from childhood vaccination programs to opioid addiction treatment.