Thousands of Public Health Webpages Removed From Federal Websites Will Now Be Restored; Insuring Access to Health Data to Protect and Improve Lives
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) and its partners, a group of nine medical organizations and public health nonprofits, announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has agreed to restore vital public health and science data that was removed from federal webpages earlier this year. This major legal victory stops a practice that began last January in which the federal executive branch deleted numerous webpages that medical providers, scientists and public health professionals rely upon, on issues covering LGBTQ health, gender and reproductive health, clinical trials, vaccine guidance, HIV/AIDS research, and other essential topics.
“Vermont clinicians are celebrating this clear win for science and evidence.” according to Katie Marvin, MD, President of the Vermont Medical Society, the largest professional association representing physicians in Vermont. “Access to public health data saves lives as it provides accurate, science-based information to clinicians to help patients make informed decisions about their health. It also provides researchers and policymakers with the evidence to ensure healthcare resources reach the communities that need them most. Restoring these webpages brings critical guidance and data back within reach for all Vermonters and all Americans.”
The settlement regarding Washington State Medical Association et al. v. Kennedy et al., was finalized August 27, 2025 and the nine plaintiffs were: Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, AcademyHealth, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Fast-Track Cities Institute, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, National LGBT Cancer Network and Vermont Medical Society.
The Defendants include Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the leaders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Office of Personnel Management.
About the Vermont Medical Society: The Vermont Medical Society is the leading voice of physicians in the state and is dedicated to optimizing the health of all Vermonters and the health care environment in which Vermont physicians and physician assistants practice medicine. The Society serves its 3,100 members through public policy advocacy on the state and federal levels, as well as by providing legal, administrative and educational support, producing a rich flow of news and information and offering member benefits that increase medical practice effectiveness and efficiency. For more information, visit www.VTMD.org.
9.3.2025. Montpelier – The Vermont Medical Society
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
