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3w ago

HHS Restructuring Begins with 10,000 Layoffs, Major Agency Disruptions Reported

The Trump administration's overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services has reduced its workforce by 20,000, raising concerns about public health and research capacity.

People gather for a candlelight vigil in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in front of its headquarters in Atlanta, Friday, March 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
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Overview

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began implementing mass layoffs on April 1, terminating 10,000 employees and reducing its workforce from 82,000 to 62,000.
  • Major agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH are experiencing significant staff reductions, with thousands of positions eliminated, including senior officials and researchers.
  • The restructuring consolidates 28 divisions into 15 and establishes the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) to centralize public health programs.
  • Critics warn the cuts jeopardize the U.S.'s ability to respond to health emergencies, approve new drugs, and conduct scientific research, as programs addressing HIV, food safety, and infectious diseases face severe disruptions.
  • HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defends the overhaul as a cost-saving measure to streamline bureaucracy and prioritize chronic illness prevention, estimating $1.8 billion in annual savings.