Mass Layoffs Hit Department of Health and Human Services Under Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Plan
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s plan to downsize nearly a quarter of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) workforce has sent shockwaves through the agency and beyond. As mass layoffs hit branch after branch, experts in mine safety, smoking and infertility are among those affected.
The layoffs, which took effect recently, have left many employees and lawmakers in the dark about the full extent of the cuts. Desperate crowdsourcing efforts have ensued as individuals try to understand the impact on American lives.
In one example, the respiratory division in Morgantown, West Virginia, which protects coal miners from “black lung” disease, was gutted. This comes at a time when cases of the disease are increasing among young coal miners in Appalachia.
The cuts also hit the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which monitors mine safety conditions, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where an entire branch devoted to infertility was eliminated. This loss of expertise could have far-reaching consequences for public policy and awareness on infertility causes and treatments.
At the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the division focused on crafting tobacco policy was cut, despite being funded by tobacco companies. This move has raised concerns about the impact on efforts to reduce tobacco use and protect public health.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) also faced significant cuts, affecting services for the disabled and elderly. Former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden warned that these cuts could undermine efforts to prevent deaths from tobacco and disease outbreaks.
Overall, the downsizing at HHS is part of a larger effort to streamline the agency, with 10,000 jobs expected to be cut. The impact of these cuts, combined with losses from other efficiency measures, is expected to be significant.
As former leaders of HHS and other agencies express concern about the implications of these cuts, the future of public health initiatives and safety measures remains uncertain.
