HHS Faces Turmoil as RFK Jr. Reinstates Employees After Layoff Errors

In a controversial restructuring, 20% of the 10,000 layoffs at HHS are being reversed, disrupting public health programs and prompting additional cuts at NIH.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted that 20% of recent layoffs at HHS were mistakes, leading to the reinstatement of some employees and programs.
The restructuring, part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency initiative, aimed to reduce HHS's workforce by 25%, but errors have caused significant operational challenges.
Critical programs, including the CDC's Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, were mistakenly cut, delaying investigations and public health efforts.
Additional layoffs are now expected at the National Institutes of Health to offset the reinstatements, compounding disruptions across the department.
Critics warn that the chaotic implementation of the restructuring risks long-term damage to public health infrastructure and essential services.