The Trump administration’s restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has sparked a legal battle, with nineteen states and Washington, D.C., filing a lawsuit to block the changes. The lawsuit claims that the federal government’s efforts to reshape the agency are unconstitutional and illegal.
In March, HHS announced plans to lay off at least 10,000 full-time employees and reduce the number of agency divisions from 28 to 15 as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)-led restructuring. The new plan involves merging several key entities, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health into a single entity. Additionally, half of HHS’ regional offices are set to be closed, reducing the total number from 10 to five.
The lawsuit alleges that the federal government has violated numerous laws and bypassed Congressional approval in implementing these changes. The impacts of the restructuring have been described as “immediate and disastrous,” particularly affecting programs that serve children and low-income families. Head Start centers are at risk of closure due to frozen grant funding, and the closure of HHS regional offices has further exacerbated the situation.
Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights the negative impact on mental health and substance use services, citing the termination of approximately half the workforce at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the closure of its regional offices. Reproductive health and disability services have also suffered, with the firing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s maternal health team and the discontinuation of the federal fertility tracking program.
New York Attorney General Letitia James condemned the administration’s actions, stating that they are putting lives at risk by dismantling vital programs and services. The coalition of attorneys general involved in the lawsuit accuses the administration of disregarding Congressional laws and trampling on the constitutional separation of powers.
The restructuring plan has faced criticism from healthcare organizations, with concerns raised about its impact on senior Medicare beneficiaries. Despite HHS claiming that the layoffs would save approximately $1.8 billion annually from the department’s $1.7 trillion budget, critics argue that the changes could worsen the existing challenges faced by millions of families in accessing healthcare services.
In conclusion, the legal battle over HHS’ restructuring underscores the deep divisions and concerns surrounding the administration’s approach to healthcare policy. The outcome of the lawsuit will have far-reaching implications for the future of healthcare delivery and access in the United States.
