The US restructures the Department of Health, 10,000 jobs are cut

(CLO) The US administration has announced a major restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including cutting 10,000 employees across federal health agencies.

According to an announcement on March 27, the number of HHS employees will be reduced from 82,000 to 62,000 after including previous voluntary furloughs.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will lose 3,500 employees, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will cut 2,400, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will reduce its staff by 1,200. In addition, about 5,200 probationary employees were also terminated last month.

The plan is part of an effort to streamline the bureaucracy, overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump. Photo: X/RFKJrHealthSec

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserted that the move would help HHS operate more efficiently, reduce budget waste and focus on important health priorities, such as dealing with chronic diseases.

“We are not just reducing the sprawl of bureaucracy. We are realigning the organization with our core mission and new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” Mr. Kennedy emphasized.

A key part of the restructuring plan is the consolidation of 28 HHS units into 15 new units, highlighted by the creation of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). The AHA will centralize the offices of addiction, mental health, toxicology, and occupational safety into a single agency. Additionally, 10 regional offices will be reduced to five.

In addition, the NIH has canceled nearly 400 research grants, many of which are related to diversity, equity, COVID-19 research, and Alzheimer's disease. A report in the journal Nature revealed that about $850 million in COVID-19 research funding could be frozen, disrupting important research.

The Trump administration and Musk have defended the plan, saying the streamlining is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on taxpayers. The White House has also asked federal agencies to prepare for a second wave of layoffs.

The changes have faced strong opposition from health officials and Democratic lawmakers, with Senator Patty Murray warning that the cuts could severely impact the US's ability to respond to outbreaks, especially amid a measles outbreak in Texas.

Hoai Phuong (according to WP, CNN, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-tai-cau-truc-bo-y-te-10000-viec-lam-bi-cat-giam-post340422.html