Uncertainty grips the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as employees await their fate amidst a sweeping reduction in workforce. As of April 1, 2025, the department has announced plans to lay off 10,000 employees, which represents around 25% of its total workforce of approximately 80,000. The cuts are part of a broader reorganization strategy under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aiming to streamline operations and save an estimated $2 billion annually.
The announcement of the layoffs sent shockwaves throughout the department, with many employees left in the dark about their future. According to an HHS fact sheet, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to cut 3,500 jobs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will eliminate 2,400 positions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will see a reduction of 1,200 employees, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will cut 300 jobs.
Employees were initially informed to expect Reduction in Force (RIF) notices in their inboxes on March 28 or over the weekend, but delays have left many anxious and frustrated. "It’s unnecessarily cruel," said a CDC employee who spent the weekend refreshing their email in anticipation of the notice. Another employee expressed a desire for clarity, stating, "Just put me out of my misery." Many were told to prepare for the worst, bringing home laptops daily in case they were barred from returning to their offices.
Despite the looming layoffs, leadership within various HHS agencies has reported feeling sidelined in the decision-making process. An employee briefed on the matter stated, "FDA leadership doesn’t know who will be cut. They didn’t have any input into these cuts whatsoever." This sentiment was echoed by staff from the CDC and NIH, who expressed frustration over the lack of communication from higher-ups.
The RIFs are slated to take effect on May 27, 2025, according to the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents many HHS workers. However, this timeline may be adjusted due to the delays in issuing official notices. The department is undergoing a significant reorganization, reducing its divisions from 28 to 15 and centralizing functions like human resources and IT under a new entity called the Administration for Healthy America (AHA).
Meanwhile, the CDC is reportedly planning to eliminate its entire Freedom of Information Act office, which could raise legal concerns since federal agencies are required to maintain such functions. The office employs 40 individuals who are all expected to receive layoff notices.
In a letter dated April 1, 2025, Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the top Democrats on the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, criticized the HHS for its lack of transparency regarding the layoffs. They argued that the department was acting unlawfully by failing to inform Congress about the impending cuts and requested detailed information about the RIF plans and their implications for mission delivery. “If these actions were actually intended to improve the department’s ability to carry out its mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, you and the department should be eager to provide additional detail and justification for them,” the letter stated.
As employees grapple with uncertainty, the cuts have already begun to affect the morale within HHS. On April 1, many employees arrived at work only to find their key cards no longer functioned, effectively locking them out of their offices. One laid-off CDC employee recounted, "I woke up at 5 a.m., heard my friends got the email, so I went to the building to clear out my personal stuff before they shut down my building access. I grabbed my diplomas off the wall and my favorite plants … just so demoralizing."
The layoffs are part of a larger initiative driven by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, aimed at downsizing the federal government. Musk's push for efficiency has led to tensions within HHS, as leadership has felt excluded from the decision-making process regarding the cuts. Kennedy, who was confirmed as HHS secretary in February 2025, has pledged to eliminate what he deems “corrupt” employees at the FDA who are too close to the pharmaceutical industry.
Despite the significant budgetary goals associated with the cuts, many employees and lawmakers are questioning the rationale behind such drastic measures. The NIH, which has a budget of $48 billion and is the largest funder of medical research globally, is also facing significant reductions. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is expected to lay off approximately 185 employees in Morgantown, West Virginia, with total cuts potentially reaching 873 across all NIOSH offices.
As the situation continues to evolve, employees are left waiting for clarity about their futures. HHS has not provided a timeline for when official layoff notices will be distributed, leading to further anxiety among the workforce. A senior HHS official described the current state as “madness,” highlighting the chaos and confusion surrounding the layoffs.
In a climate of uncertainty, the employees of HHS are bracing for the impact of these sweeping changes, with many fearing for their jobs and the future of public health services in the United States. The ongoing developments will likely have significant implications for the department’s ability to fulfill its mission of enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans.
