1. United States
2. S.D.
3. Letter

The Department of Health and Human Services is planning a major overhaul that will result in significant job losses and the closure of entire agencies. This restructuring plan aims to downsize the department from 82,000 workers to 62,000, eliminating nearly a quarter of its workforce through 10,000 layoffs and 10,000 early retirements and voluntary separations. Agencies slated for closure include the Health Resources and Services Administration, which funds community health centers nationwide, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which oversees addiction treatment and the national 988 mental health hotline. The cuts are deepest at the FDA, CDC, and NIH, with thousands of job losses anticipated at these critical public health agencies responsible for drug/food safety, disease monitoring, and medical research. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized the department as an inefficient bureaucracy that has failed to improve Americans' health despite its massive budget. However, public health experts warn that these sweeping cuts could endanger public health, food safety, and access to vital health services for millions. There are also concerns about the administration's commitment to treating addiction and mental illness by eliminating SAMHSA. Overall, this restructuring represents a significant downsizing of the federal health workforce and a consolidation of power under the HHS Secretary's control. While promised to increase efficiency, the fallout could be far-reaching for public health infrastructure, scientific research, and the delivery of essential health services across the country. Congress and public health advocates have expressed alarm at the potential consequences of these drastic cuts. Do not allow this damaging overhaul to proceed.