A federal judge has issued a ruling requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restore certain web pages and data sets. This decision comes in response to actions taken following President Trump’s executive order aimed at addressing gender ideology in federal policy.
U.S. District Judge John Bates stated that HHS, the CDC, and the FDA must reinstate information that was “removed or substantially modified” last month without proper notice or justification. This ruling follows a lawsuit filed by Doctors for America, which accused these agencies of removing crucial information vital for doctors and researchers.
According to Dr. Reshma Ramachandran from Doctors for America, the elimination of these resources jeopardizes patient health and undermines research efforts. She emphasized the necessity for federal health agencies to restore these materials to better serve the American people.
Zach Shelley, an attorney for Public Citizen Litigation Group, stated that these federal agencies are responsible for ensuring public health and that removing essential data contradicts that mission. The lawsuit aims to hold these agencies accountable for their obligations to the citizens they serve.
Doctors for America highlighted that the removal of these web pages and data sets has created a “dangerous gap” in scientific data necessary for monitoring and managing health crises. Among the removed materials were reports on medications for HIV, guides on environmental justice, and contraceptive resources.
These actions were taken under President Trump’s executive order that affirms the recognition of two genders and asserts the importance of biological truth in government policy. The order emphasizes that changing or erasing sex from language and policy has detrimental effects not only on women but on the entire American system. Establishing accurate definitions based on biological facts is seen as crucial for maintaining trust in government and promoting public safety.
