Trump administration to shrink federal health agencies by 20,000 employees
The Department of Health and Human Services is undergoing a major restructuring under the Trump administration, with plans to reduce its workforce by nearly a quarter. This move is part of an effort to streamline operations and cut costs within the department.
Managers within various health agencies are now working to understand how these changes will impact their teams. The administration aims to implement the restructuring quickly, with many changes expected to take place within 10 days. The workforce at the department is expected to shrink by around 33%, with approximately 10,000 full-time employees set to be cut through layoffs.
These changes are estimated to save taxpayers $1.8 billion. The restructuring will primarily target administrative positions, as well as roles deemed redundant or duplicative. The Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, announced that 3,500 jobs will be cut from the Food and Drug Administration, and 1,200 jobs from the National Institutes of Health.
At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2,400 employees will be let go to refocus on preparing for and responding to epidemics and outbreaks. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will see a reduction of approximately 300 employees, with a focus on eliminating minor duplication.
The restructuring efforts are part of a broader initiative to eliminate waste and improve efficiency within the department. The new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA) agency will consolidate several existing agencies and streamline operations. The goal is to improve the quality of service while saving money.
Despite the anticipated benefits of the reorganization, there are concerns about the impact on specific agencies and programs. The Department of Health and Human Services is working to ensure that essential services, such as Medicare and Medicaid, are not affected by the workforce reductions.
Overall, the restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services is expected to be a challenging process. The administration is focused on reducing redundancies and increasing the number of frontline health providers. As the changes take effect, employees are being encouraged to align behind a common mission of restoring American health.
By Jennifer Jacobs, Senior White House Reporter at CBS News.
