HHS Overhaul Under Kennedy: Massive Cuts and Partial Rehires Spark Controversy

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a dramatic transformation under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with widespread layoffs and subsequent partial rehires reshaping the landscape of crucial health agencies. This sweeping restructuring has drawn criticism from multiple states, lawmakers, and medical organizations, culminating in a recent court ruling against Kennedy's authority to implement such extensive changes.

Scale of the HHS Overhaul

Since assuming leadership in February, Kennedy has overseen the elimination of approximately 10,000 positions across HHS. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bore the brunt of these cuts, losing 3,500 positions, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) saw reductions of 2,400 and 1,200 jobs, respectively.

These cuts came on top of earlier layoffs initiated by President Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk, which included the termination of over 5,000 probationary employees. Additionally, HHS offered buyouts of up to $25,000 to encourage voluntary resignations, further contributing to the exodus.

In total, HHS has seen an estimated departure of up to 20,000 employees, effectively doubling the department's turnover rate and leaving it operating with what many describe as a "skeleton crew."

Legal Challenges and Criticism

The extensive restructuring has not gone unchallenged. A group of 19 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Kennedy and other HHS leaders, including FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and CDC Acting Director Susan Monarez. The lawsuit alleges an "unconstitutional and illegal dismantling" of the agency, claiming that Kennedy has "systematically deprived HHS of the resources necessary to do its job."

This legal action recently resulted in a victory for the plaintiffs when Judge Melissa DuBose ruled against Kennedy, stating that as members of the executive branch, Kennedy and HHS "do not have the authority to order, organize, or implement wholesale changes to the structure and function of the agencies created by Congress."

Democratic lawmakers have also voiced strong opposition to the downsizing. Seven Senate Democrats called on Trump to reverse the layoffs at the CDC, emphasizing the agency's "critical responsibility and record of keeping Americans safe." Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) notably broke the record for the longest floor speech, speaking for over 25 hours in protest of Trump's policies, including the healthcare cuts.

Partial Rehires and Ongoing Uncertainty

Amid mounting pressure from lawmakers, professional medical organizations, and unions, HHS has begun rehiring some of the laid-off employees. Kennedy himself admitted that upwards of 2,000 federal employees were "cut by mistake," leading to reinstatements across various departments, including those responsible for infectious disease prevention, workplace safety, and drug policy.

However, the exact number of rehired employees remains unclear, with conflicting reports and a lack of transparency complicating efforts to assess the current state of HHS staffing. Even Congress reportedly lacks a firm grasp on the extent of the layoffs and subsequent rehires.

Despite these partial reinstatements, it is evident that HHS continues to operate with significantly reduced personnel. This dramatic downsizing has raised concerns about the agency's ability to effectively carry out its duties and responsibilities, particularly in critical areas such as drug approvals, disease surveillance, and biomedical research.

As legal challenges and political debates continue, the future of HHS and its constituent agencies remains uncertain. The ongoing restructuring under Kennedy's leadership represents a significant shift in the operation of the United States' primary health authority, with potential far-reaching implications for public health, pharmaceutical regulation, and biomedical research.