HHS Reorganization To Slash 20,000 Jobs, Including 3,500 at FDA

Today, the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced “a dramatic restructuring” that will slash its total payroll by 10,000 employees and will eliminate another 3,500 full-time employees at FDA.

The FDA reduction in force comes “with a focus on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions,” the announcement said. “This reduction will not affect drug, medical device, or food reviewers, nor will it impact inspectors.”

The cuts come “in accordance with President Trump's Executive Order, ‘Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.’ ” The announcement said the initial layoffs will amount to 10,000, but when combined with HHS’ other efforts, including early retirement and Fork in the Road, the restructuring results in a total downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.

It will streamline the functions of HHS. Currently, the agency’s 28 divisions contain many redundant units, it said, but the plan will consolidate them into 15 new divisions, including a new Administration for a Healthy America, and will centralize core functions such as Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, External Affairs, and Policy. Regional offices will be reduced from 10 to five.

“Third, the overhaul will implement the new HHS priority of ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins,” today’s announcement said. “These priorities will be reflected in the reorganization of HHS.”

As part of the reorg, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), responsible for national disaster and public health emergency response, will transfer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were a handful of other reallocations of services involving Medicare, Office for Civil Rights, Administration for Community Living

“Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants,” HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy said. “This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves.”