Trump Administration eliminates 20,000 federal health jobs in effort to "Make America Healthy Again"
The Trump administration has unveiled a major restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), resulting in the elimination of 20,000 jobs and the reorganization of the department’s divisions.
In a bold move by the Trump administration, significant changes are being implemented within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A major restructuring plan has been announced, involving sweeping cuts and a reorganization of the department's divisions.
The restructuring, which includes a reduction in workforce and changes to how HHS operates, is being presented as a step toward greater efficiency and lower taxpayer costs. However, the decision has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and health experts, who warn about the potential long-term effects on public health and the administration of key health programs.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced major restructuring on HHS
The Trump administration announced a major restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday, which will result in the elimination of 20,000 full-time positions. This includes employees who opted for early retirement under the "Fork in the Road" offer, as well as an additional 10,000 job cuts. The HHS workforce will be reduced from 82,000 to 62,000, according to the press release.
The restructuring also involves a reorganization of HHS’s 28 divisions, consolidating them down to 15. Secretary of HHS Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. emphasized that this restructuring not only reduces bureaucratic inefficiency but also aligns the department with its core mission of addressing the chronic disease epidemic. Kennedy stated, "This Department will do more — a lot more — at a lower cost to the taxpayer."
HHS, which oversees agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will also create a new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). This new body is designed to improve coordination in chronic care and disease prevention programs.
The job cuts include 3,500 at the FDA, 2,400 at the CDC, 1,200 at the NIH, and 300 at CMS. However, cuts at the FDA will not affect drug or food reviewers or inspectors. The reorganization is not expected to impact Medicare or Medicaid services. These cuts are anticipated to save $1.8 billion, contributing to HHS's budget, which is close to $2 trillion, mainly allocated for Medicaid and Medicare benefits.
Trump's restructuring could impact in American public
This restructuring is part of President Trump's broader goal to shrink the size of the federal government, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) spearheading efforts. In a social media video, Secretary Kennedy criticized HHS as a "dysfunctional, sprawling bureaucracy" and pointed to inefficiencies, including disconnected communications offices and isolated departments hoarding patient data for profit.
Senator Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat from Maryland, has called the job cuts "dangerous and deadly," particularly since many health agencies are based in Maryland. She also raised concerns over Kennedy's past comments on the vaccine schedule for children, warning that these layoffs could cost lives.
Experts like Larry Levitt from KFF have expressed concerns that these cuts may lead to more inefficiency and wasteful spending in the future, as many HHS employees oversee programs designed to prevent fraud and ensure health care services are provided as promised.