The American Academy of HIV Medicine et al. v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services et al.
Lambda Legal and co-counsel filed a federal lawsuit challenging new funding restrictions issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that prohibit the use of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funds for gender-affirming medical care for transgender people living with HIV. The Ryan White Program is the nation’s largest federal safety-net program for people living with HIV, serving more than half of the estimated 1.2 million people diagnosed with HIV in the United States.
The lawsuit argues that the federal government unlawfully imposed categorical restrictions on medically necessary care through new grant terms and conditions issued on March 11, 2026 and Notices of Funding Opportunity issued on June 8, 2026. These restrictions interfere with clinical judgement, the holistic care model of Ryan White, and place transgender patients at risk of losing access to care. The plaintiffs seek to block enforcement of the restrictions and ensure that the Ryan White Program continues to operate consistent with federal law.
- March 11, 2026 – HRSA issued new General Terms and Conditions (GTCs) requiring grant recipients to comply with restrictions targeting so-called “gender ideology,” including limitations affecting gender-affirming medical care.
- June 8, 2026 – HHS and HRSA issued new Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) prohibiting the use of Ryan White funds for gender-affirming medical care for transgender people living with HIV.
- June 10, 2026 – Plaintiffs filed a Complaint challenging the GTCs and NOFO restrictions as unlawful and unconstitutional.
- June 10, 2026 – Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction seeking to block enforcement of the restrictions while the case proceeds.