Senate Democrats will hold hearings next week to examine the recent overhaul at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has led to widespread terminations and raised questions about the functioning of key health programs.
Overview of the Restructuring
The dramatic restructuring, ordered by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has resulted in department-wide job cuts at health agencies. Key points include:
- In March, HHS announced plans to reduce its employees by nearly 25% through layoffs, buyouts, or early retirement offers.
- Thousands of probationary workers at health agencies were terminated in February as part of a government-wide effort to cut recently hired or promoted employees before they became permanent federal civil servants. This move was paused amid court intervention.
- Earlier this month, HHS moved forward with firing probationary employees, described as "the final step" by an HHS spokesperson.
Upcoming Hearings
Democratic Senators Peter Welch of Vermont and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin will lead the hearings next week on Capitol Hill. They are expected to hear testimony from former officials from agencies under the HHS umbrella, including:
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- National Institute of Health (NIH)
Criticism of the Overhaul
Welch criticized Kennedy’s actions as an assault on institutions providing scientific research that prevents diseases while also delivering healthcare services across U.S. territories. He stated:
"You’ve got a Health and Human Service Secretary who is tearing apart institutional structures that have been there to help us get through science research delivery healthcare."
Welch also mentioned that he would investigate whether those laid off could still work within the new structure if they wanted to.
Defense of the Actions
Kennedy defended his actions during an interview, stating:
"What this reorganization is meant to do is eliminate redundancies, streamline the agency, and reorient it so we are trying to make America healthy."
This week’s hearing follows Kennedy’s testimony before congressional committees for the first time since his confirmation process earlier this year. He appeared alongside White House Budget Director Shalanda Young to discuss a budget proposal that includes an $8 trillion spending package over two fiscal years starting October 1st.
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