The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will lay off 10,000 employees and close several agencies as part of a major restructuring effort aimed at reducing the number of federal workers.
The layoffs are expected to save approximately $1.8 billion, focusing on reducing administrative roles within the department.
Along with the personnel cuts, HHS will cancel over $12 billion in state health grants as part of efforts to streamline operations and centralize functions within the department.
The restructuring will also close five out of ten regional offices of HHS across the United States, though the specific offices have not yet been identified.
The restructuring will impact several key HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which are involved in public health, research, and disease prevention.
Despite the cuts, HHS has assured that it will continue to prioritize critical public health areas and ensure that essential services remain operational.
The department is expected to provide updates on the restructuring process and its effects on various agencies and employees.
