HHS Layoffs and Grant Cuts Endanger Public Health and Service Workers

Massive Layoffs at HHS Spark Concerns Across the Nation

The recent decision by the administration to cut 10,000 jobs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and withdraw significant grants from states is causing widespread alarm. The move is seen as a direct threat to public health and safety, impacting the services that are vital to communities nationwide.

The disruption is already being felt among behavioral health providers and public health departments at state and local levels, leading to uncertainty and potential job losses among public service workers, including members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Health Services in Disarray

Critical agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are facing severe staffing shortages. The CDC's capability to track infectious diseases is compromised, while the FDA struggles with drug and device reviews and food safety inspections.

These staffing reductions follow the termination of $12 billion in federal grants intended for infectious disease tracking and behavioral health services among other key health initiatives.

State-Level Impacts

States are grappling with the fallout from these federal cutbacks:

• Minnesota's Department of Health, losing a quarter of its budget, has laid off 170 employees, including 30 AFSCME members, with more layoffs potentially on the horizon. (source)
• Washington state anticipates laying off up to 200 AFSCME Council 28 members.
• New Jersey, which relied heavily on federal funds to fight communicable diseases and the opioid crisis, is now short $350 million. Governor Phil Murphy criticized the "irrational" cuts, warning of severe consequences for vulnerable populations. (source)
• At NIOSH, dedicated to worker safety, nearly 900 employees face job loss, threatening workplace health investigations and safety recommendations. (source)
• ACF is also slashing its workforce by half and closing five offices, affecting programs like Head Start that support numerous AFSCME members.

AFSCME's Response

In response, AFSCME has initiated the GO campaign to counteract these cuts and promote the welfare of public service workers. This campaign aims to challenge the policies that undermine public health and social services, urging members to Get Organized and stand against these challenges.