In a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), mass layoffs have begun, impacting around 10,000 workers. Notices started going out on April 1, informing staff that their positions are being eliminated as part of a plan announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr..

The layoffs primarily affect agencies responsible for monitoring disease outbreaks, regulating food and drugs, and funding medical research. A steep reduction in workforce will see HHS decrease from approximately 82,000 to 62,000 employees. This includes not only those laid off but also around an equal number of early retirements and voluntary separations.

Officials within HHS, including at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), report extensive job impacts, with the mission to streamline and refocus the department's efforts.

As HHS transitions to a new structure that consolidates 28 divisions into 15 agencies, Kennedy describes the initiative as necessary for emphasizing prevention over treatment. However, the timing of the cuts has raised concerns as the nation grapples with significant public health challenges, such as the ongoing measles outbreak.

Sen. Patty Murray has expressed alarm over the implications of these cuts, stating, "they may as well be renaming it the Department of Disease because their plan is putting lives in serious jeopardy," highlighting the potential risks associated with diminished public health oversight.

The drastic measures come alongside the revocation of collective bargaining rights for employees at HHS, further compounding the distress within affected agencies. Many employees learned of their layoffs through confusion at access points to their work sites, often receiving emails notifying them of their status or finding their access badges disabled.

In total, the layoffs are expected to save $1.8 billion annually from HHS's budget, which exceeds $1.7 trillion and primarily funds Medicare and Medicaid. However, critics question whether the cuts will genuinely improve health outcomes and effectiveness of the agency given the essential services it provides.

This restructuring is seen by many health experts as a dangerous move, with potential long-term ramifications for public health systems across the country. A coalition of advocates, including former officials and public health experts, is preparing for possible legal challenges against these layoffs, arguing that they threaten the safety and health of the American public.

For further details, visit Newsweek and Los Angeles Times.