A chaotic restructuring at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services resulted in significant confusion this week. Thousands of employees faced termination notices, with many learning they had been fired only when attempting to enter their workplaces. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged that 20% of the cuts were mistakes and announced plans for reinstatement. Critically, the cutbacks impacted crucial divisions of the CDC, creating uncertainty around vital public health initiatives, notably a lead contamination testing program in Milwaukee. HHS insists the cuts aim to realign the department's focus on combating chronic diseases.
Chaos and confusion dominated the restructuring affecting thousands of workers at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week. Some people who were fired are being unfired, at least temporarily.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admitted about a fifth of the cuts were 'mistakes,' telling reporters on Thursday: 'We're reinstating them. And that was always the plan.'
Among those 'mistakes,' Kennedy said, was the elimination of a division of CDC that, among other things, helps public health departments around the country address lead contamination in water.
In a statement, HHS said the restructuring 'is about realigning HHS with its core mission: to stop the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again.'
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