HHS Offers $25,000 Buyouts to 80,000 Workers Amid Workforce Reductions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has offered a $25,000 buyout to most of its 80,000 employees as part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce. Employees received an email detailing this 'voluntary separation incentive payment,' with a deadline for responses set for March 14. This measure follows similar buyout offers across various federal sectors, including education and defense, aiming for operational efficiency. HHS, which manages critical health-related departments such as the CDC, NIH, and FDA, has an annual budget of approximately $1.7 trillion. The cuts are reportedly being overseen by Elon Musk, appointed as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, with the intent to eliminate wasteful spending. This restructuring has led to mass protests and lawsuits from affected workers, highlighting the controversial nature of the layoffs.