Under the banner of 'efficiency,' HHS reportedly shed about 18% of its workforce, including over 3,000 scientists and 1,000 inspectors. Labs now struggle to buy basic supplies, and inspectors are purchasing swabs out of pocket, signaling operational breakdown. The cuts contradict stated plans to add scientists and strengthen chronic‑disease work.
— It shows how headcount reductions can quietly hollow out national health security and regulatory oversight even without headline budget cuts.
by Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, and Ren Larson, The Assembly
2025.09.27
65% relevant
The article reports that under the Trump administration FEMA lost hundreds of workers, including much of a team improving the online application process. This mirrors the mechanism where staff attrition quietly hollowed out HHS capacity, suggesting similar institutional weakening now affects disaster‑aid delivery and equity.
by Brandon Roberts, Annie Waldman and Pratheek Rebala, illustrations by Sam Green for ProPublica
2025.08.21
100% relevant
ProPublica’s analysis of the HHS employee directory documenting departures at CDC (15%), NIH (16%), and FDA (21%), plus examples of labs lacking sterile eggs/mice and inspectors buying supplies themselves.
by Pratheek Rebala, Annie Waldman and Brandon Roberts
2025.08.21
70% relevant
This methodology underpins claims of large HHS staff losses by supplying near‑real‑time counts across agencies like CDC, FDA, and NIH when official figures are delayed or withheld.
by Sharon Lerner
2025.08.20
72% relevant
Under HHS Secretary RFK Jr., NIOSH’s division studying parental chemical exposure and autism was eliminated and tens of millions in autism research were cut, mirroring how quiet staffing and program reductions hollow out health capacity despite high‑profile rhetoric.