Trump’s Backdoor Cuts Leave US Health Agencies Reeling: Mass Layoffs Rock FDA, CDC, and More

A wave of mass layoffs has hit various health agencies in the US, including those responsible for regulating drugs and tobacco, according to a memo accessed by Bloomberg. The shake-up, which began on Tuesday morning, has left many workers reeling. As part of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s plan to cut down the workforce in the national health services, thousands of employees have been terminated, and many more are expected to follow suit.

Kennedy, a strong ally of former President Donald Trump, had announced plans to fire over 10,000 workers and regulators across various US health agencies. The decision is part of a broader effort to streamline the industry and reduce costs. The layoffs have disproportionately affected top officials in departments dealing with food, drug, and tobacco safety. Peter Stein, a high-ranking official at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has been removed from his position, along with others, including FDA vaccine regulator Peter Marks and chief tobacco regulator Brian King, who was placed on administrative leave.

The impact of these layoffs is already being felt, with many employees left in limbo. Those who have been fired have received a reduction-in-force notice and have been immediately locked out of their health agency computer systems, effectively halting their work and preventing them from communicating with partners. The situation has sparked concerns about the future of these critical services.

The US Senate Health Committee has summoned Kennedy for a hearing on April 10 to discuss the matter further. The department’s plan to shrink its workforce from 82,000 employees to 62,000 workers is expected to be completed through a combination of terminations and voluntary departures through buyout programs.

As the dust settles on this tumultuous period, authorities will be closely monitoring the consequences of these drastic measures. Meanwhile, employees affected by the layoffs are left to navigate a challenging new reality, with many facing uncertainty about their future in the healthcare industry.

Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/trump-administration-begins-mass-layoffs-at-fda-cdc-other-us-health-agencies-101743535911215.html
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Publish Date: 2025-04-02 01:26:00