HHS plans to cut 10,000 jobs amid major restructuring

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a significant restructuring that will result in a workforce reduction of 10,000 employees, bringing the total staff down from 82,000 to 62,000. This move, announced by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is part of an effort to eliminate inefficiencies within the agency, which he described as a 'sprawling bureaucracy.' The cuts will affect key offices such as the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS, with HHS claiming that essential services will not be compromised. The agency will also consolidate its divisions from 28 to 15, creating a new Administration for a Healthy America to centralize operations. While the restructuring aims to save $1.8 billion annually, critics express concerns over potential impacts on public health and services. Kennedy emphasized the goal of improving health outcomes while reducing taxpayer costs, despite acknowledging a 'painful period' ahead for the agency.