HHS retracts layoff notices for key health employees after facing widespread criticism, but confusion persists over which programs and staff will actually be retained.
At a Glance
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced reinstatement of some programs and employees cut during recent layoffs that affected 10,000 jobs
- Workers at the World Trade Center Health Program for 9/11 responders have had their layoff notices officially revoked
- FDA laboratories in Chicago and San Francisco had layoff notices reversed, but cuts to probationary workers remain
- Despite promised reinstatements, some FDA labs and CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health employees remain laid off
- Additional layoffs at the National Institutes of Health are proceeding amid departmental restructuring
Kennedy Announces Partial Reversals of HHS Staffing Cuts
The Department of Health and Human Services has begun walking back some of its controversial staffing cuts affecting critical health agencies. After eliminating approximately 10,000 positions across the department, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that certain programs and employees would be reinstated. This reversal comes after significant backlash from lawmakers, public health officials, and advocacy groups concerned about impacts to essential health services. Affected agencies include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where hundreds of previously laid-off employees have now been reinstated.
Employees who were originally issued termination notices have now received official rescission letters. One letter sent to World Trade Center Health Program staff stated: “You previously received a notice regarding the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) upcoming reduction in force (RIF). That notice is hereby revoked.” This represents a significant shift from earlier temporary reinstatements, now providing more permanent employment assurances for some workers. The World Trade Center Health Program, which serves 9/11 first responders and survivors, had originally faced cuts of 15 employees, prompting immediate outcry from New York lawmakers.
Critical Public Health Programs Face Uncertain Future
Despite the recent reinstatements, confusion remains about which programs will continue and in what form. One prominent example is the CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention branch, which Kennedy identified as among those to be reinstated. However, Erik Svendsen, the program’s director, expressed uncertainty about the announcement, noting that work had stopped and he had not been informed of any reinstatement plans. HHS later clarified that while the work would continue elsewhere in the department, the original personnel would not be reinstated, raising questions about program continuity and expertise retention.
“If our program is reinstated, that is fantastic news. We need this for our nation. We need this for our children across the country,” said Svendsen.
The lead surveillance division plays a critical role in monitoring environmental toxins and supporting state and local health departments in their public health efforts. Local health officials have expressed cautious optimism about potential reinstatements but remain concerned about broader impacts on essential public health infrastructure. Not all promised reinstatements have materialized, with some FDA laboratories still not functioning and CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health employees still without jobs.
Restructuring or Cuts? Kennedy Defends HHS Changes
Secretary Kennedy has repeatedly characterized the staffing changes as organizational consolidation rather than program termination. “Those programs were not terminated, as the media has reported. But they’ve simply been consolidated into a place that makes more sense,” Kennedy stated. He emphasized that the department’s goal is to streamline agencies to better serve public health and the American people. This explanation has done little to quell concerns from public health experts who worry about lost institutional knowledge and disruption to critical services.
“We’re streamlining the agencies. We’re going to make it work for public health, make it work for the American people,” Kennedy declared.
While some positions have been reinstated, others remain permanently eliminated. FDA laboratories in Chicago and San Francisco had their layoff notices reversed, but probationary workers at these facilities have not been recalled. Meanwhile, additional layoffs at the National Institutes of Health are proceeding, affecting various institutes and offices. These NIH cuts are reportedly being implemented to meet layoff quotas while allowing for the reinstatement of select scientists whose termination letters were marked as “officially RESCINDED.” As restructuring continues across federal health agencies, the long-term impact on America’s public health infrastructure remains to be seen.
