The Trump administration already sent about 1,300 termination notices to high-skilled employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This risky move is only one component of their strategy for a government shutdown. Over 50% of these notifications have been rescinded. As a consequence, nearly 600 CDC employees are still out of work on temporary emergency leave. The layoffs, which were announced on a Friday, have raised significant concerns among health experts about their potential impact on public health initiatives.
Their firings affect key offices within the CDC, including those that work on health statistics, injury and violence prevention, congressional outreach and engagement, and human resources. These amendments would imperil the agency’s work to protect the public health. The weekly journal continues to be an invaluable resource for evidence-based public health guidance and recommendations. Further, the report underscores the need for a fully staffed agency.
Athalia Christie, the incident commander for the measles response, whose layoff was reversed. So has Maureen Bartee, a senior infectious disease specialist. Even with their reinstatement, the persistent layoffs to this day have public health professionals on high alert.
Debra Houry, a prominent figure in the field, expressed her concerns regarding the layoffs, stating, “I’m concerned that these cuts will impact CDC’s day-to-day functioning and certainly this will compromise the agency’s ability to protect the public.” She further added, “I’m not sure what strategy was used to decide these cuts as many of these HR, communications, and policy are essential across the agency for all its programs.”
The American Federation of Government Employees has vigorously opposed the firings. They refer to it as an illegal abuse of power, a description that is seconded by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. In a joint statement, the unions called upon President Trump, asserting that he should not use civil service employees as bargaining chips in the current shutdown showdown.
Richard Besser voiced his apprehension about the cuts, stating, “We have a CDC that was already wounded, and now you’re coming in again and making additional cuts there.” He further mentioned, “There are so many things as a physician and as a public health practitioner where I look to the CDC for the best information, best guidance, and unfortunately, I’m not able to do that anymore.”
In response to the situation, an HHS spokesperson clarified that “The employees who received incorrect notifications were never separated from the agency and have all been notified that they are not subject to the reduction in force.” This remark only underscores the pervasive uncertainty about the motives and nature of the layoffs.
