Overview

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will cut 10,000 jobs, reducing its workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 employees, with further reductions planned.
• The restructuring will consolidate HHS departments from 28 to 15 and close half of its regional offices, aiming to save $1.8 billion annually.
• The changes are part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to reduce the federal workforce, which have faced legal challenges and criticism.
• Health professionals have raised concerns about the impact on epidemic response and drug approval processes, particularly during a measles outbreak that has infected over 380 people and caused two deaths.
• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defends the plan as a shift toward combating chronic diseases and reducing inefficiencies, despite criticism of his vaccine skepticism and leadership approach.