Judge Orders Restoration of CDC, Health Agency Websites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must restore access to websites with data previously revoked under President Trump’s executive order on gender, based on a judge’s written opinion.

On February 11, US District Judge John D. Bates granted a temporary restraining order filed by Doctors for America (DFA), a nonprofit group. The order temporarily prevents the HHS, CDC, and FDA from removing public-facing websites that “inculcate or promote gender ideology,” as they were directed to do by President Trump’s order. The opinion states that removed websites and datasets be restored by 11:59 PM EST on February 11. 

In the wake of the executive order, the agencies removed websites and datasets that were essential for healthcare professionals in providing treatment, conducting research, and informing public health responses, according to the DFA and noted in the judge’s opinion. These sites included information on testing for sexually transmitted infections and providing HIV clinical care, as well as contraception and assisted reproductive technologies, and guidance on including more women in clinical trials. Access to real-time information is essential, according to testimonials from several clinicians in the opinion. 

The “balance of equities and the public interest strongly favor the DFA,” the judge wrote. The loss of access to certain websites has already done harm and will continue to cause disruption in healthcare, he said. Judge Bates concluded by noting that restoration of healthcare websites will not interfere with the ongoing efforts of the agencies to adapt their resources to conform with President Trump’s executive orders related to gender.