The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently announced a major reorganization, which includes the termination of 10,000 full-time employees. This move represents a significant downsizing for a department that plays a crucial role in responding to disease outbreaks, providing health insurance to millions of Americans, ensuring the safety of drugs and medical devices, and more. Prior to these cuts, the HHS employed a total of 82,000 individuals.
The primary objective of this reorganization is to centralize the operational functions of the HHS, such as policy planning, communications, and human resources. This restructuring aligns with the broader initiative led by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, to streamline the government by reducing the size of the federal workforce and freezing funds.
Despite the intended goal of enhancing governmental efficiency, the impact of these cuts has raised concerns among employees, particularly in the healthcare sector. Reports suggest that the downsizing has hindered efforts to improve medical outcomes, including maternal health and long COVID, disrupted biomedical research, weakened disease monitoring programs, and compromised oversight of fraud and abuse in federal healthcare programs.
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to lose 3,500 jobs, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will see a reduction of 2,400 positions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are also facing cuts in their workforce. These measures are expected to save taxpayers approximately $1.8 billion annually.
In alignment with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s commitment to reducing bureaucracy within the HHS, the department is undergoing a structural overhaul. The number of divisions within the HHS will be reduced from 28 to 15, and regional offices will be consolidated from 10 to five.
Kennedy emphasized that the reorganization aims to realign the HHS with its core mission and new priorities, particularly in addressing the chronic disease epidemic. Additionally, a new agency called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) will be established to consolidate efforts in primary care, maternal health, environmental health, and more.
As part of the restructuring, the HHS will merge certain programs and agencies to improve efficiency and focus on key areas of healthcare delivery. Despite these changes, the department assures that Medicare and Medicaid services will not be impacted. Furthermore, no additional cuts are currently planned beyond the announced reorganization.
It is crucial to note that the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce have faced legal challenges, including the dismissal and subsequent reinstatement of probationary employees. The administration has appealed these rulings and has sought to strengthen its authority in removing federal employees.
If you are a federal healthcare worker affected by these changes, please reach out to Rebecca Pifer at [email protected] for further assistance or information.
