Federal Health Workers, Including CDC Employees, Offered Buyout Opportunity

In an effort to make strides in government cuts, President Donald Trump has offered federal workers at the Health and Human Services Department a chance to leave their posts with a generous payout of up to $25,000. More than 80,000 federal employees, including those at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration, were given this opportunity.

Starting Monday, workers can choose to take this voluntary separation offer, but they must reply by Friday at 5 p.m. Employees were informed via email, highlighting a cost-cutting strategy for one of the largest federal agencies, grossing about $1.7 trillion annually, predominantly used for Medicare and Medicaid.

Amidst the plan to reduce the workforce, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering significant staff cuts. While there hasn’t been a specific plan disclosed yet, Kennedy mentioned potential layoffs, stating concerns about decisions made on nutritional guidelines by some employees.

The move to lessen federal health workers coincides with the CDC’s efforts to help manage a severe measles outbreak and discussions surrounding deep Medicaid cuts in the federal budget. Employees interested in taking the voluntary separation offer are advised to contact their local human resources office for further details.