HHS Slashes 10,000 Federal Jobs in Major Healthcare Agency Restructuring
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is implementing a major workforce reduction, cutting 10,000 full-time positions as part of a comprehensive restructuring plan. This reduction will decrease the agency's workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 employees.
The reorganization aims to streamline operations by:
- Reducing divisions from 28 to 15
- Consolidating regional offices from 10 to 5
- Creating the Administration for a Healthy America
Key agency impacts include:
- FDA: 3,500 positions eliminated
- CDC: 2,400 positions cut
- NIH: 1,200 positions removed
- CMS: 300 positions reduced
The new focus areas under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. include:
- Primary care enhancement
- Environmental health initiatives
- Clean water access
- Food quality improvement
- Mental health services
- Maternal health support
- Environmental toxin reduction
Major organizational changes:
- Moving Strategic Preparedness under CDC
- Establishing new Assistant Secretary for Enforcement
- Merging Strategy Office with Healthcare Research and Quality
- Consolidating multiple health agencies under one administration
The layoffs will take effect May 27, 2025, targeting administrative positions, regional employees, and redundant roles. While HHS maintains that essential health services will continue uninterrupted, health experts express concern about potential impacts on public health infrastructure and service delivery.
Critics, including the National Treasury Employees Union and public health experts, warn about:
- Reduced operational efficiency
- Increased workload for remaining staff
- Potential impacts on healthcare delivery
- Long-term consequences for public health systems
The restructuring represents one of the largest federal workforce reductions in recent history, with implications for America's healthcare system that may be felt for years to come.