RFK Jr.’s Cuts Create New Public Health Challenges for States

The Trump administration’s plan to dramatically cut staff at the nation’s top federal health agencies will hinder states’ ability to weather a shifting public health landscape, former federal officials and state leaders say.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on March 27 the agency’s plan to remove 10,000 employees from the agency’s roster of full-time staff. Plans are also underway to consolidate HHS’ 28 divisions into 15 and cut the number of regional offices in half.

The changes come as local governments navigate the Trump administration’s decision to pull the plug on $11.4 billion in Covid-19-related ...