HHS Overhaul: A Bold Move Towards Health Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to reduce its workforce by 10,000, closing regional offices under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This restructuring aims to align with mission priorities and includes consolidating 28 units into 15, including a new division called 'Administration for a Healthy America'.

In a significant restructuring move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to cut approximately 10,000 full-time jobs and close half of its regional offices. This decision comes under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., marking a major overhaul of the department.

The job cuts, accompanied by another 10,000 voluntary departures, will reduce the number of full-time employees at HHS from 82,000 to 62,000. Kennedy Jr. emphasized that this isn't just a reduction of bureaucratic sprawl but an alignment with the department's core mission and new priorities, particularly in reversing the chronic disease epidemic.

The restructuring is also backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and his ally Elon Musk. They aim to shrink federal bureaucracy. Consequently, the department's 28 units will merge into 15 new divisions, including a newly formed 'Administration for a Healthy America' (AHA), which centralizes offices dealing with addiction, toxic substances, and occupational safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)