Mass Layoffs at HHS: A Blow to Healthcare Access and Public Health
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s decision to lay off an additional 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) following the already eliminated 10,000 jobs via previous rounds of cuts. In total, the restructuring and force reduction plans will result in a downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees nationwide.
The impact of these cuts and restructuring is particularly concerning for agencies like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These agencies are crucial to the functioning of vital public health and safety programs, including the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows hospitals, community health centers, and other providers to purchase prescription medications at discounted prices. This ensures that low-income and underserved communities can afford the medications they need.
“In the wake of a nationwide measles outbreak, this is a reckless decision by the Trump administration,” said Samatha Sears, NCL Health Policy Associate. “HHS leadership should be prioritized on bolstering public health and delving into medical research for vaccines and medications, not firing thousands of staff and jeopardizing agencies like HRSA and NIOSH. Downsizing this department under our current circumstances is irresponsible and dangerous to the American people.”
The NCL calls on the administration to reconsider these workforce reductions to ensure that essential health services are not disrupted and that vulnerable communities continue to have access to the care they need.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
