HHS Plans Major Layoffs, Threatening NIOSH and Firefighter Safety Programs

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing significant layoffs, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announcing a plan to cut approximately 10,000 jobs across the agency, including nearly two-thirds of the workforce at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This restructuring raises concerns about the impact on crucial programs, particularly those related to workplace safety and firefighter health, such as the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. The layoffs follow an executive order from President Donald Trump revoking collective bargaining rights for many federal employees, which critics argue undermines public health safety. Union officials and health advocates warn that these cuts could jeopardize the nation’s ability to respond effectively to health emergencies. The layoffs began on Tuesday, with specific impacts expected on staff at NIOSH offices in Pittsburgh and Spokane. The extensive reductions reflect a broader effort to consolidate HHS functions into a new organization aimed at increasing efficiency.