HHS Secretary Kennedy Announces Major Restructuring, Job Cuts, and Controversial Appointments

In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled plans for a significant restructuring of the department, including the elimination of approximately 10,000 jobs. The announcement, which came on Thursday, outlines a series of organizational changes aimed at streamlining operations and centralizing key functions within HHS.

Massive Downsizing and Departmental Shifts

The restructuring plan, initially reported by The Wall Street Journal and later confirmed by HHS, involves a substantial reduction in workforce across multiple agencies. According to the reports, the job cuts will affect several key divisions:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): 3,500 staff
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 2,400 employees
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): 1,200 employees
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): 300 employees

Secretary Kennedy justified the cuts, stating, "Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants."

The reorganization also includes the creation of a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), which will consolidate existing divisions such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

In addition, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), previously part of HHS, will be moved to the CDC. A new position, the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement, will be established to oversee HHS's appeals board, Medicare hearings, and the Office for Civil Rights.

Controversial Appointment Raises Concerns

In a move that has sparked controversy within the scientific community, Secretary Kennedy has appointed David Geier to investigate vaccine safety within the CDC. Geier, who is not a medical doctor, has a history of making unsubstantiated claims about vaccine safety and has faced disciplinary action for practicing medicine without a license.

Geier's appointment aligns with Kennedy's long-standing skepticism towards vaccines, a position that has been widely criticized by public health experts. The decision to place Geier in a position of influence over vaccine safety data has raised concerns about the potential impact on public health policy and scientific integrity within the department.