The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has offered many of its employees a chance to leave their jobs voluntarily in exchange for a payout of up to $25,000. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to cut government spending.
The email offering the voluntary separation package was sent to a large number of HHS employees, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These workers are responsible for important tasks such as disease research, food inspections, and managing Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Employees who wish to accept this offer can begin applying on Monday and must submit their decision by Friday at 5 p.m. The email was sent just days before agency heads are expected to present their plans for reducing staff numbers. HHS is one of the most expensive federal agencies, with an annual budget of about $1.7 trillion, most of which goes toward healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare provides health insurance for older adults, while Medicaid supports low-income and disabled individuals. The agency’s workforce helps administer these programs, ensuring that millions of Americans receive healthcare services.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was recently appointed as Trump’s health secretary, has indicated that he plans to reduce staff at public health agencies. Last year, he mentioned wanting to remove 600 employees from the NIH. While he hasn’t taken that step yet, he recently stated in an interview that he has identified employees he believes made poor decisions, particularly regarding nutrition guidelines.
The Trump administration has been working to downsize the federal workforce, with support from billionaire Elon Musk. In January, many federal employees received an offer to resign with eight months of pay. Additionally, thousands of new employees still on probation have been dismissed across multiple federal agencies, including HHS.
This latest effort to reduce staff comes at a critical time when the CDC is responding to a dangerous measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico. Meanwhile, lawmakers are discussing significant budget cuts to Medicaid, which could impact millions of Americans who rely on it for healthcare.
HHS employees who received the email have been advised to contact their local human resources office if they wish to accept the voluntary separation offer. The agency has not yet made any public comments on the matter.
