Major Job and Program Cuts Hit Top U.S. Health Agencies
Thousands of workers at major U.S. health agencies have been laid off, with cuts at the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS reducing HHS staffing by nearly 25% amid criticisms of inefficiency.
Published on April 2, 2025
On April 2, 2025, thousands of employees across the nation's leading health agencies were laid off. The FDA lost 3,500 staffers, the CDC saw 2,400 cuts, the NIH shed 1,200 positions, and CMS cut 300 jobs—collectively reducing HHS staff by nearly a quarter. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attributed the drastic measures to long-standing inefficiencies within the department.
These cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at recalibrating federal public health priorities. The layoffs are expected to affect critical programs in disease prevention, medical research, and minority health services. Multiple reports, including those from the Associated Press and Reuters, confirm that the realignment of government resources marks a significant shift in the nation's health policy landscape.