WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring strategy to align with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” The ambitious plan aims to streamline operations, reduce workforce inefficiencies, and realign the department with its evolving priorities, all while maintaining essential services.
The restructuring, which is expected to save taxpayers $1.8 billion annually, will reduce the department’s workforce by approximately 10,000 full-time employees. When combined with other ongoing measures, such as early retirement and the “Fork in the Road” initiative, HHS will undergo a downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 employees.
“This overhaul isn’t merely about reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” remarked HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This Department will do more – a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer.”
Key Changes in the HHS Structure
Under the plan, HHS will adopt significant structural reforms intended to reduce redundancy, enhance efficiency, and refocus the agency’s resources toward its mission. Notable changes include the following:
- Creation of the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA): This new division will consolidate multiple agencies, such as the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). By creating AHA, HHS intends to centralize resources serving low-income Americans while targeting issues such as primary care, mental health, maternal and child health, environmental health, and workforce development.
- Strengthening the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), which handles public health emergency response, will be integrated into the CDC. This move aims to bolster the CDC’s ability to protect Americans from emerging threats.
- New Assistant Secretary for Enforcement Role: A position dedicated to combating fraud and abuse within federal health programs will be established. Responsibilities will include oversight of the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB), Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA), and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
- Enhanced Research Capabilities: The merging of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will create the Office of Strategy. This entity will focus on leveraging research for informed policy-making and program effectiveness.
- Reorganization of the Administration for Community Living (ACL): Programs targeted at supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities will be distributed across several HHS agencies. Essential services under Medicare and Medicaid will remain unaffected by this change.
Additionally, regional offices will be reduced from 10 to 5, a move designed to eliminate redundancy and cut operational costs.
Shift in Program Priorities
One of the most significant aspects of the restructuring is a renewed emphasis on combating chronic illness. This includes addressing the root causes of health concerns through a focus on clean water, safe food, and the elimination of environmental toxins. Secretary Kennedy emphasized that the new focus would represent a shift toward prevention, saying, “Our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”
The department’s overhaul also includes changes aimed at improving the public’s interaction with HHS programs by creating a more responsive and efficient organization.
Broader Context
The restructuring initiative is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce waste and improve government efficiency. It aligns closely with conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and smaller government. The executive order mandates a “one-in, four-out” hiring approach, with only one new hire permitted for every four employees who leave their positions.
However, the plan has already sparked debate. Critics argue the reduction in workforce and consolidation of programs may compromise HHS’s ability to deliver services effectively, while others believe it may negatively impact employee morale.
“This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves,” said Kennedy. “That’s the entire American public.”
Anticipated Impact
The HHS restructuring represents one of the most ambitious reorganizations in federal government history. Its success will depend on careful execution, striking a balance between operational efficiency and fulfilling the agency’s mission to meet the health needs of the American public.
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