Exclusive to FOX News: The Department of Government Efficiency made a surprising move by terminating the employment of 3,600 probationary Health and Human Services (HHS) employees last Friday. However, it was revealed that a meticulous process was undertaken to ensure that employees serving in specialized or critical roles were spared from the layoffs. More than half of the agency’s probationary employees were ultimately retained.
These workforce reductions are projected to result in significant annual savings of approximately $600 million in taxpayer dollars. Additionally, Doge, the popular cryptocurrency figure, has uncovered an additional $1.9 billion in taxpayer funds that were reportedly ‘misplaced’ by the Biden Administration.
Notably, probationary employees exempt from the layoffs included those engaged in crucial areas such as refugee and resettlement under the Administration of Children and Families (ACF), emergency preparedness and response within the Administration for Strategy Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as scientists conducting vital research at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Frontline healthcare providers at the Indian Health Service (IHS), employees involved in Medicare and Medicaid at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and those responsible for drug approval and inspections at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were also spared from the job cuts.
Doge reportedly identified critical employees based on the key functions of HHS, which include frontline healthcare provision, innovative research, and emergency response. The selection process involved evaluating employees’ work histories, backgrounds, and job titles to determine their indispensability to the organization.
While the specific evaluation process may vary across different federal agencies examined by Doge, the assessment generally focuses on key functions, specialized responsibilities, and individual roles within the workforce. Within HHS, particular attention was given to the CDC, with detailed scrutiny of research activities, laboratory operations, and outbreak surveillance and response capabilities.
A Trump administration official explained, “In cases where there was ambiguity, we collaborated with individuals familiar with the employees or the division’s work to ascertain their specific job responsibilities.” The official highlighted that the goal is to enhance governmental efficiency, reduce the federal workforce’s size, and ensure the preservation of essential governmental functions.
It was clarified that Doge’s evaluations do not commence with preset cost-cutting objectives, and federal agencies are not subjected to any particular order for review. The official emphasized that funding dispersal through contracts and grants, as well as regulatory considerations, are key areas of focus during the evaluation process.
In conclusion, the official expressed, “Healthcare remains a top priority for the new Secretary and the President. Our aim is to enhance government efficiency while maintaining critical operational functions.” The official underscored the importance of thoughtful decision-making in streamlining the federal workforce.
This comprehensive report was contributed to by Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman.
Original article reference: DOGE lays off 3,600 probationary H
