1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

The recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are deeply concerning and will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of all Americans. By terminating thousands of scientists, researchers, doctors, and public health experts across agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal government is effectively crippling its ability to track and respond to disease outbreaks, conduct vital medical research, and ensure the safety of our food and drug supply. These drastic staffing cuts, which impact over 20,000 employees or nearly a quarter of HHS's workforce, are short-sighted and put the public at serious risk. The expertise and institutional knowledge lost through these layoffs is invaluable and cannot be easily replaced. From monitoring infectious diseases like the ongoing measles outbreak to advancing life-saving medical treatments and safeguarding our food and pharmaceutical industries, the work of these dedicated public servants is critical to protecting public health and preventing tragic loss of life. As the nation's leading public health agencies are gutted, their capacity to fulfill their core missions is being decimated. This jeopardizes our ability to respond effectively to emergencies, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks both at home and abroad. Furthermore, the loss of vital data collection and analysis capabilities will leave policymakers flying blind when it comes to addressing pressing health issues like the opioid crisis, chronic illnesses, and health disparities affecting vulnerable communities. I urge you to take immediate action to halt these reckless layoffs and work to fully restore funding and staffing levels at HHS agencies like the CDC, NIH, and FDA. The health and safety of all Americans depends on a strong, fully staffed public health infrastructure guided by scientific expertise – not political ideology. Protecting and promoting the well-being of our nation must be the top priority.