The Department of Health and Human Services is going through a serious change. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has ordered massive cuts, and it is already affecting thousands of people. If you have ever used government health services, this is something you should be paying attention to.
Let us take a closer look at who is losing their jobs and how this might impact you and your family.
Why is HHS laying off workers?
The DOGE administration says the goal is to reduce what they are calling “enormous bureaucracy” in the federal government.
- About 10,000 HHS employees are being laid off.
- The total HHS workforce will drop from 72,000 to 62,000 workers.
- This cutback is part of a larger move to make the government “leaner,” according to officials.
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. put it, the layoffs are aimed at breaking down “the enormous bureaucracy” that has taken over many departments. But not everyone is convinced this is a good move.
Which health agencies are most affected by the job cuts?
The layoffs are not spread evenly. Some of the most important agencies inside HHS are taking the biggest hits.
- FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Losing 3,500 workers, including many who handle food and drug safety.
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): About 2,400 jobs will be gone, including staff who work on outbreak response and epidemic control.
- NIH (National Institutes of Health): 1,200 jobs are being cut, which could slow down important research and medical advancements.
- CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services): About 300 workers will be laid off, which might affect oversight of health insurance programs that serve millions of Americans.
These cuts are raising concerns that the quality of public health services could drop, especially in emergencies.
How are the layoffs being carried out?
This is not a normal layoff process. Many workers found out they lost their jobs when they tried to scan their ID badges to get into the building—and the badges no longer worked.
- Security was increased at federal buildings.
- Workers were not given advance notice.
- Badge access was shut down overnight.
This sudden method has shocked many employees and caused confusion across several departments.
How will these layoffs affect regular Americans?
If you depend on government health services, this could have a direct impact on your daily life.
- Fewer FDA staff may lead to slower drug approvals or delays in food safety inspections.
- A reduced CDC team might hurt the country’s ability to respond quickly to health emergencies.
- Cuts to NIH may slow down research into diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
- Fewer CMS workers could make it harder to get help with Medicare or Medicaid issues.
These changes may not be felt right away, but the long-term effects could be serious, especially during public health crises.
