Massive Job Cuts Hit US Health Agencies Amid Reorganization

A sweeping wave of job cuts began across US health agencies early Tuesday, with employees receiving emails notifying them of their termination. Some were unable to access their workplaces upon arrival. The full extent of the layoffs remains unclear, as the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not provided an official count.

Major Workforce Reduction

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced last week that 10,000 full-time employees would be cut, adding to the thousands who had already departed or were on probationary leave. Kennedy stated the move aims to prioritize fighting chronic diseases while reducing "bureaucratic sprawl."

Employees across multiple agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), were affected. Cuts hit leadership positions, long-serving staff, scientists, and administrators alike.

"It’s a bloodbath," an FDA employee remarked, reflecting the widespread concern among federal workers.

Agencies and Programs Affected

The job cuts slashed key CDC programs, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, and the Office of Smoking and Health. The FDA saw layoffs in its Office of New Drugs, Office of Policy & International Engagement, and Office of Regulatory Programs. The Center for Mental Health Services within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was also affected.

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, was among the high-profile officials terminated, according to sources within NIH.

In an email to an affected CDC staff member, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Thomas J. Nagy Jr. stated, “This [reduction in force] action does not reflect directly on your service, performance, or conduct.” The email further instructed employees that they would be placed on administrative leave and lose building access effective immediately.

Federal Employee Reactions

Many employees had been on edge following Kennedy’s announcement last week that nearly 20,000 jobs would be cut. One senior CDC official expressed frustration over the lack of communication: “What is really galling and hard is that supervisors and leaders aren’t being told anything—they just have to wait and see which of their staff get notices.”

HHS confirmed last week that its workforce would be reduced from approximately 82,000 full-time employees to 62,000. Additionally, 5,200 probationary employees who had been in their roles for less than two years were dismissed last month. Many of those workers remain on temporary administrative leave as legal proceedings continue in federal courts.

The breakdown of job cuts includes:

• 3,500 full-time positions at the FDA, excluding drug, medical device, and food safety inspectors.
• 2,400 employees at the CDC.
• 1,200 employees at NIH due to consolidation in procurement, human resources, and communications.
• 300 employees at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Restructuring Federal Health Agencies

Kennedy’s reorganization plan aims to consolidate several health agencies into a new entity, the Administration for a Healthy America. This new body would merge:

• The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health,
• The Health Resources and Services Administration,
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
• The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Kennedy insists that despite the workforce reduction, the department will operate more efficiently. However, critics warn that eliminating thousands of jobs could weaken public health initiatives and regulatory oversight.

Uncertain Future

With job terminations ongoing and legal challenges looming, uncertainty remains high among federal health workers. Employees and unions are now seeking clarity on severance policies, reassignment opportunities, and the long-term impact of the restructuring.

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