HHS Undergoes Major Overhaul Under Kennedy Jr.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will trim about 10,000 jobs and shutter half its regional offices. Led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the restructuring aims to align the department more closely with its core mission, emphasizing efforts to combat chronic diseases.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a significant restructuring plan, which includes cutting around 10,000 full-time positions and closing half of its regional offices. This move comes under the leadership of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., aiming to streamline operations and better address public health priorities.

This latest round of job cuts, alongside 10,000 voluntary departures, will reduce the workforce at HHS to approximately 62,000 from its previous 82,000. Kennedy Jr. stated that the reorganization is not solely for reducing bureaucratic complexity but also to align the agency with its primary mission, particularly focusing on reversing the chronic disease epidemic.

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who manages the Department of Government Efficiency, are spearheading efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy through agency restructuring. This initiative involves consolidating 28 HHS units into 15 new divisions, which includes establishing the 'Administration for a Healthy America' to centralize various health-related offices and functions.

(With inputs from agencies.)