Washington D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a major restructuring. This change will cause about 10,000 US health agency layoffs, according to AFP. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. stated the plan focuses on preventing chronic diseases. Employees learned about their job losses early Tuesday.
The US health agency layoffs affect the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). This indicates a significant change in federal health goals.
Leadership Changes and Concerns
Senior officials from these agencies have been moved to new locations. These include Alaska and Oklahoma. Jeanne Marrazzo, the NIH director who replaced Anthony Fauci, is among those reassigned. Former agency leaders expressed concern about the US health agency layoffs. Ex-FDA Commissioner Robert Califf warned about losing important knowledge. “The FDA as we’ve known it is finished,” he said.
Kennedy defended the changes. He said they are needed to reduce administrative tasks. The focus will be on fighting chronic diseases. HHS expects the restructuring to save about $1.8 billion each year. The department will merge its 28 divisions into 15. A new agency, the Administration for a Healthy America, will be formed. The long-term effects of these US health agency layoffs and restructuring on public health are unclear.
