HHS Faces Significant Staffing Cuts as Reorganization Approaches
As the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) prepares for major changes, concerns are mounting regarding a proposed reduction in workforce, according to multiple officials familiar with the situation. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his team are finalizing a department-wide restructuring plan, with announcements expected within the next two weeks.
Anticipated Layoffs Across HHS Agencies
Sources indicate that various agencies within HHS are bracing for substantial layoffs. In particular, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is projected to lose up to 90% of its staff, which currently numbers around 300. This drastic decrease would severely impact the agency’s capabilities in tracking vital health care metrics and supporting patient safety initiatives.
Agency Specific Details
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
On March 11, officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) informed AHRQ leaders of the potential cuts. The agency’s workforce primarily consists of skilled economists and statisticians crucial for analyzing historical health care data. The anticipated reductions would leave only a minimal team to handle critical projects, leading to concerns about data quality and availability.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
At the CDC, reports suggest that up to 30% of its personnel may be laid off. The agency, which employed approximately 12,820 staff at the end of the last fiscal year, is already facing challenges with employee burnout. Current strategies may include encouraging voluntary departures as some staff members have already opted for early retirement or buyout packages.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Unlike other HHS agencies, specific groups within the FDA have been categorized as ineligible for buyouts. This includes those involved in reviewing new drug applications funded by industry fees. Nevertheless, management has indicated that layoffs are on the horizon, although many employees express uncertainty regarding the extent of the cuts.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH is also bracing for reductions, projecting cuts that could return staffing levels to those seen at the end of the Trump administration. Currently employing over 21,000 individuals, voluntary resignations may help mitigate the impact as approximately 1,400 employees have shown interest in retirement or buyout options.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS may experience less severe cuts, as the agency had already faced staffing limitations under the previous administration. With staffing numbers barely increasing from 6,074 in 2019 to 6,557 in 2024, some officials believe the number of layoffs may be manageable due to voluntary departures.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
At SAMHSA, employees have yet to receive any updates on potential layoffs. The agency, which had seen its workforce drop from 916 to a low of 521 during the past administration, is retaining hope that advocacy from House Democrats may help prevent drastic job cuts.
Conclusion
The restructuring plans by Secretary Kennedy and DOGE have sparked anxiety among health officials and employees across various HHS agencies. As the final decisions approach, the implications of such comprehensive layoffs could profoundly affect the U.S. public health system and the ability of these agencies to fulfill their critical missions.