CDC, NIH and more health agencies brace for layoffs with DOGE and RFK Jr.’s restructuring. Here’s what we know.

The Department of Health and Human Services is on the brink of significant layoffs as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his team finalize plans for a major restructuring of the department. According to multiple senior health officials, decisions on the reorganization are expected to be announced within the next week or two, with aides already drafting an official announcement.

The reorganization plans, ordered by the White House, are expected to result in deep cuts across various agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. One key figure involved in the restructuring is Amy Gleason, the formal head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency team. Several other members of DOGE, including former insurance executive Brad Smith, have been closely involved in the planning process.

At the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, officials have been informed to expect up to a 90% reduction in staff. This agency, responsible for collecting and analyzing crucial health care data, faces drastic cuts that could impact its ability to provide essential metrics on health care and patient safety.

Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are bracing for potential layoffs that could see up to 30% of the agency’s staff being let go. With over 12,000 employees currently employed at the CDC, such cuts could severely impact the agency’s ability to carry out its vital public health functions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also facing challenges, with some groups of workers deemed ineligible for the buyout offer. Managers at the FDA have expressed uncertainty about the scale and targets of the impending cuts, leading to concerns about a potential brain drain at the agency.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) are expecting cuts to bring their workforce levels back down to pre-Trump administration levels. With over 21,000 employees currently employed at the agency, voluntary departures may help offset some of the expected reductions.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is another agency within HHS facing potential layoffs. Despite a letter from House Democrats expressing concerns about steep staff cuts, employees remain uncertain about their future at the agency.

Overall, the restructuring plans within HHS are expected to have far-reaching implications for the various agencies under its umbrella. As officials finalize decisions and prepare to announce the changes, the impact on public health functions and services remains a major concern for employees and stakeholders alike.