U.S. Health Secretary Plans Major Department Overhaul

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aims to reduce the Department of Health and Human Services by 10,000 jobs and close regional offices. The workforce could shrink to 62,000 if the plan materializes. The department has not commented on the report.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised for a sweeping overhaul of the Health Department, set to eliminate 10,000 full-time jobs and shut regional offices, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The planned reductions aim to reshape the Department of Health and Human Services, a move that could see its workforce decreasing to 62,000 employees. This potential downsizing follows the departure of around 10,000 staff through voluntary separations since President Trump assumed office.

The department was unavailable for comment when contacted by Reuters regarding the proposed changes. The initiative may affect roles vital to managing disease outbreaks, approving drugs, and administering health insurance for low-income Americans.

(With inputs from agencies.)