‘For Our Health’ Strongly Opposes HHS Cuts to Public Health Funding and Workforce Reductions and Calls for Congressional Oversight
Washington, D.C. – For Our Health, a nonpartisan public health advocacy initiative, strongly opposes the announcements by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which detailed sweeping cuts to public health funding for state and local health departments, coupled with drastic reductions of approximately 10,000 federal jobs and a major reorganization of departmental agencies.
As stated in For Our Health’s letter to Congress, these decisions represent a dangerous dismantling of frontline public health services and staff that are protecting America’s health at a critical moment. By eliminating over $11 billion in federal grants previously allocated to state and local health agencies and organizations, HHS is placing essential public health functions at severe risk, including infectious disease control (HIV and measles), injury prevention, and chronic disease management in every state in the nation. Public health departments, already struggling with limited resources, will be forced to fire staff and drastically scale back or even eliminate critical programs designed to safeguard community health.
Furthermore, the March 27 announcement that HHS will cut an additional 10,000 positions—on top of the 10,000 already eliminated through early retirements and buyouts, along with previous work cancellations resulting in a 25% overall workforce reduction—will significantly impact critical agencies. These cuts affect those responsible for overseeing funding for mental health services and community health centers, as well as the highly trained scientists who help keep Americans healthy and safe.
Specifically:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Reduction of 3,500 employees, potentially compromising the safety and efficacy of medical products and food supplies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Loss of 2,400 positions, severely impairing disease monitoring, prevention and outbreak response.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Reduction of 1,200 staff, threatening critical medical research initiatives that can lead to cures for Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and rare diseases affecting children.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Cuts of 300 employees, raising concerns over effective administration of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
HHS's decision to shutter half of its regional offices and consolidate 28 divisions into just 15 risks widespread confusion, inefficiencies and disruption of critical services precisely when clear and coordinated public health action is most necessary.
While we acknowledge the importance of organizational efficiency, the scale and approach taken to implement these cuts, as well as the speed and haphazard nature of them puts at risk the health and safety of the American public. The dismantling of key public health agencies and the loss of thousands of dedicated professionals will have far-reaching consequences that cannot even be quantified at this moment due to the chaos and mistrust being created by the lack of transparency and accountability of these actions.
For Our Health urgently calls upon HHS, Congress, and the Administration to reconsider and immediately reverse these damaging decisions. Now is the time to strengthen—not weaken—America’s health capabilities. We must invest in strong frontline public health services and a robust workforce, equipped and ready to protect and promote the health and well-being of every community.
The stakes are extraordinarily high. For Our Health pledges to continue advocating tirelessly for policies that prioritize the public’s health, science and research, safeguard communities and ensure America’s readiness for current and future health challenges.
The full letter and list of signatories is available at https://www.forourhealth.org/s/For-Our-Health_Letter-to-Congress_Public-Health_March-2025.pdf.
