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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently made headlines when he announced that certain programs at HHS had been mistakenly cut in an effort to reduce the workforce by 10,000 roles. He emphasized that the administration was willing to acknowledge when mistakes were made and take steps to remedy them.

However, officials quickly backtracked on Kennedy’s comments, and there have been no significant numbers of employees rehired. When asked about reinstatements, Kennedy clarified that programs were being “consolidated” and insisted that no “core” roles had been eliminated. He did not reiterate his previous statement about mistakenly cut roles being reinstated.

Kennedy explained, “We didn’t cut any core programs or any critical care programs or any scientific programs. Those programs are being consolidated in the new agency that is going to make America healthy again.” This suggests that while some restructuring may be taking place, the essential functions of the department are being maintained.

Last week, Kennedy faced questions about a CDC program that monitored lead exposure among children, which had seen significant cuts. He acknowledged that mistakes had been made and that some programs would need to be reinstated. However, an HHS official later clarified that the specific program in question would not be brought back, as its functions were being transferred to the newly-formed Administration for a Healthy America.

Despite Kennedy’s initial comments implying a broader effort to rehire HHS employees, sources have confirmed that there are no current plans to hire back employees agency-wide. This suggests that the focus is on streamlining operations and reallocating resources rather than simply rehiring staff.

In conclusion, while there have been some changes at HHS, including workforce reductions and program consolidations, the department is focused on maintaining essential services and improving efficiency. It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the delivery of healthcare services and public health initiatives in the future.