BALTIMORE MD (APRIL 27, 2018) - Yesterday, Judge Catherine Blake of the US District Court for the District of Maryland ruled in Baltimore City’s favor in its Teen Pregnancy Prevention suit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Judge Blake granted the City’s motion for summary judgment, ruling that HHS’s decision-making was arbitrary and capricious. By issuing this ruling, Judge Blake vacated HHS’s decision to prematurely terminate Baltimore’s five-year Teen Pregnancy Prevention Grant, and ordered HHS to process Baltimore’s application for continued funding under the grant.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement following the ruling:

“This ruling means that Baltimore City students will continue to receive evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention education delivered by teachers specially trained to teach these important curricula. This means the City’s newly-formed Youth-Advisory Council, comprised of Baltimore City teens who serve as peer health advocates and share information about reproductive health, will no longer be in jeopardy. This means that we will be able to continue our work in reducing teen birth rates, which fell 61% in Baltimore City from 2000 to 2016.

Yesterday marked the third ruling in cases regarding cuts made to 81 teen pregnancy prevention program grantees across the country. These cuts could affect an estimated 580,000 students. I am grateful that our 20,000 students who benefit from this program in Baltimore will not be a part of that number. I am hopeful that the value of science and evidence will continue to be recognized, and I look forward to continuing to fulfill our responsibility of protecting the health and ensuring the well-being of our youth.”