U.S. Health Agencies Face 10,000 Job Cuts Amid Federal Restructuring

The Trump administration has initiated mass layoffs, cutting nearly 10,000 jobs across major U.S. health agencies including the FDA, CDC, and NIH, in a move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. justified these cuts by stating they are necessary to refocus on core missions, despite concerns from public health experts about the potential impact on the nation's ability to address health crises like measles and bird flu. The layoffs, which have resulted in the removal of significant public health officials and a leadership vacuum, have drawn criticism, with former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf calling it a 'huge mistake.' The restructuring also includes plans to consolidate several agencies into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America. The layoffs and reassignments have raised alarms over the future effectiveness of public health responses and the loss of institutional knowledge within these agencies. As the cuts unfold, employees have reported confusion and uncertainty regarding their roles and the future of their departments.