The Trump administration has reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit, agreeing to restore more than 100 health and science datasets and webpages that were removed or altered earlier this year by agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agreement, announced this week, requires HHS to revert the resources to their pre-administration state, covering critical topics such as pregnancy risks, opioid-use disorder, the AIDS epidemic, LGBTQ+ health, and reproductive rights.
The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed by progressive advocacy groups, including Doctors for America, and supported by states like Washington, which accused the administration of unlawfully censoring public health information to align with ideological priorities. Plaintiffs argued that the removals violated federal laws requiring transparency and access to government data, potentially endangering public health by limiting access to evidence-based resources. “This is a victory for science, transparency, and the American people’s right to know,” said Nicole Johnson, executive director of Doctors for America, in a statement following the agreement.
Under the terms of the settlement, which took effect on August 26, 2025, HHS must complete the restoration within two weeks. The agency is also required to report on the progress of reinstating the pages and ensure they remain accessible without further alterations. As of late July, federal agencies had already restored 67 of the 212 identified webpages, according to court documents, but the settlement expands this effort to include all disputed content.
The controversy began shortly after President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, when HHS and affiliated agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), began scrubbing websites of information deemed politically sensitive. Critics, including public health experts and Democratic lawmakers, decried the moves as an attempt to suppress data on issues like abortion, gender-affirming care, and harm reduction strategies for opioid addiction. For instance, pages detailing risks associated with chemical abortions and comprehensive opioid treatment guidelines were among those targeted.
A February 2025 court order from U.S. District Judge Christopher Bates had already mandated the restoration of specific sites by a set deadline, but the administration’s compliance was partial, prompting further legal action. Bates emphasized in his rulings that the removals lacked justification and could hinder public access to vital health information.
HHS spokesperson Marc Short defended the initial changes, stating that the administration aimed to “streamline and update” outdated or biased content to better reflect current priorities, such as expanding access to opioid treatment programs. However, the settlement represents a concession, with the department agreeing not to challenge the restorations in court. “While we maintain that our actions were within authority, we are committed to resolving this matter and focusing on improving health outcomes for all Americans,” Short said.
Advocates for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights celebrated the outcome as a safeguard against censorship. “Restoring these resources ensures that vulnerable populations can access accurate information without political interference,” noted Sarah Lipton-Lubet, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. The settlement also aligns with broader criticisms of the administration’s health policies, including separate lawsuits over data sharing with immigration authorities and funding restorations for anti-abortion states.
As the restorations proceed, public health organizations plan to monitor compliance closely, with potential for further litigation if the agreement is not fully honored. This case underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration’s agenda and advocates for transparent, science-based governance in federal health policy.