RFK Jr. to Slash 10,000 Jobs in Major Shake-Up of U.S. Health Department

Health and Human Services to Cut 10,000 Jobs in Major Restructuring Under RFK Jr.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled plans to eliminate 10,000 full-time positions across the department in an aggressive effort to reshape federal health policy and operations. This sweeping reduction follows the voluntary departure of another 10,000 employees since President Donald Trump’s return to office, meaning roughly a quarter of HHS's workforce will be gone—shrinking the agency to 62,000 employees. Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Inside HHS: What It Does and Why the Cuts Matter

The Department of Health and Human Services, a federal agency with a $1.7 trillion budget, plays a central role in overseeing the nation’s vaccines, pharmaceuticals, scientific research, and public health infrastructure. It is also responsible for coordinating pandemic preparedness and regulating food and tobacco products. In addition, HHS administers government-backed health care programs that serve millions of Americans, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income patients who depend on Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the reductions will impact 3,500 workers at the Food and Drug Administration (19% of its workforce), 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (18%), 1,200 at the National Institutes of Health (6%), and 300 at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (4%). Fry1989 / Wikimedia

Kennedy Cites Cost Savings and Focus on Chronic Disease Amid Cuts

Kennedy defended the decision, stating, “We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic.” He added, “This Department will do more – a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer.” The department estimates the move will save $1.8 billion annually, against a backdrop of $6.8 trillion in federal spending during fiscal 2024. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Health Workforce Reductions Come During Major Disease Outbreaks

The sweeping reorganization comes amid one of the most severe U.S. measles outbreaks in over 20 years. At the same time, avian flu continues to spread among wild birds globally, triggering infections in poultry and dairy cattle across the United States and resulting in several recent human cases, according to the CDC. Austin American Statesman-Imagn Images

Kennedy Pursues Anti-Corruption Agenda Within Federal Health Agencies

A longtime critic of the very agency he now leads, Kennedy has promised to eliminate what he calls “corporate corruption” in federal health institutions. Before taking office, he vowed to purge the FDA of employees blocking approval of certain controversial treatments, stating they should prepare to “pack their bags.” Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Vaccine Policy and Advisory Committees to Face Overhaul Under New Health Strategy

Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism, has also said he will reexamine the childhood vaccination schedule and reorganize the advisory committees involved in immunization decisions. His “Make America Healthy Again” platform emphasizes addressing chronic disease through nutrition rather than pharmaceuticals, representing a profound shift in health policy priorities.

Despite the planned closure of five regional HHS offices, the department has stated that essential services will remain intact. Boghosian, Joyce: United States Department of Health and Human Services (The White House) / Wikimedia