1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The recent staff and program cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) put critical public health initiatives at risk. By decimating the workforce and shuttering entire divisions, these actions undermine infectious disease monitoring, compromise cancer and other medical research endeavors, and threaten vital assistance programs like Head Start and Meals on Wheels that support vulnerable populations. HHS plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation's health and well-being. Substantial workforce reductions and program eliminations erode the agency's ability to fulfill its essential duties effectively. Congressional intervention is imperative to halt these detrimental cuts and ensure public health remains a top priority. Immediate steps must be taken to reinstate the terminated personnel and reinstate defunded programs. Furthermore, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should be compelled to testify before Congress and provide a comprehensive justification for this destructive reorganization that jeopardizes public welfare. Robust oversight and decisive action are needed to preserve HHS's capacity to protect the health and safety of all Americans.