Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services are anticipating significant job cuts within the agency, targeting around 5,200 probationary employees as part of the Trump administration’s efforts. A recent audio recording from a National Institutes of Health department meeting revealed that most probationary staff are set to be terminated on Friday, with some exceptions for those possessing specialized skills. Employees facing termination will be notified via email on Friday afternoon, as per the shared audio.
Among those affected, nearly 1,300 probationary employees from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected to be let go, constituting approximately one-tenth of the agency’s workforce. The decision was relayed to CDC leadership during a morning meeting with HHS officials, according to a federal source present at the meeting.
Some employees may receive four weeks of paid administrative leave, as indicated by the federal official and the recording. HHS has refrained from elaborating on the specifics of the layoffs. In a statement by Andrew Nixon, the department’s director of communications, it was mentioned that the actions align with the Administration’s directives to enhance government efficiency and service delivery.
HHS, with over 80,000 employees and 13 supporting agencies including the CDC, NIH, and FDA, plays a crucial role in public health and healthcare coverage through programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The agency’s workforce encompasses various professionals, from scientists and researchers to doctors and officials, overseeing critical tasks like vaccine research, disease control, and food and drug regulation.
The CDC, with a core budget of $9.2 billion, focuses on safeguarding Americans from health threats and outbreaks. Regarded as a global leader in disease control, the CDC employs top experts and researchers. The recent cuts also impacted the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a program recruiting young professionals for disease investigation roles, with first-year officers bearing the brunt of the layoffs.
EIS officers, who investigate outbreaks and health hazards globally, have historically played a pivotal role in public health. While the recent layoffs have raised concerns among affected employees, probationary periods remain a common practice for both new and veteran staffers within the agency.
For instance, individuals who were recently promoted to new management positions. The workforce reductions are a part of a comprehensive initiative by President Donald Trump and billionaire Trump advisor Elon Musk to downsize the federal government’s workforce. These layoffs coincided with the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Joshua Barocas, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, emphasized the critical roles that many probationary-status employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are fulfilling. Barocas expressed concern during an Infectious Diseases Society of America briefing with journalists on Friday, stating that the assumption that employees with less than a year or six months of tenure are dispensable could lead to disruptions in disease understanding and response efforts.
In an interview on Fox News on Thursday, Kennedy responded to inquiries about potential staffing reductions at HHS, indicating uncertainty regarding claims that half of the staff would be laid off. Kennedy reassured individuals engaged in sound scientific practices and public health initiatives, suggesting that those working primarily for the pharmaceutical industry should consider transitioning out.
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