1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The recent announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to cut 10,000 full-time employees across various health agencies is concerning for the state of public health in America. With this drastic reduction in workforce from around 82,000 to 62,000 employees, it raises questions about HHS's ability to effectively carry out its core mission of promoting health and well-being. The cuts target administrative roles, but also include key positions at agencies like the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS that play vital roles in ensuring food and drug safety, disease prevention, biomedical research, and healthcare coverage. These sweeping job cuts, coupled with the abrupt termination of pandemic-era funding to state and local health departments, risk crippling the public health infrastructure at all levels. This restructuring could impede access to essential health services, disrupt ongoing programs, and hamper the nation's ability to respond to future public health emergencies. Public health experts have warned that such drastic downsizing may result in diminished quality of care, longer wait times, and an overall decline in health outcomes for the American people. While efforts to streamline operations and reduce redundancies are understandable, the sheer scale of these cuts raises concerns about the potential consequences on community health, particularly for vulnerable populations. It is crucial that any restructuring prioritizes maintaining core capabilities and services that protect and promote the health and well-being of all Americans. A robust and well-funded public health system is essential for a healthy and prosperous nation.