In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge has stepped in to stop the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from firing thousands of employees. The judge said the layoffs were likely illegal and ordered the Trump administration to freeze all plans to shrink and reorganize the health workforce.

This decision came after a group of attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D. C. , sued the government. They argued that the layoffs would cause serious damage and that the HHS overstepped its authority. The judge agreed, saying the executive branch can’t just change the structure of agencies created by Congress.

The judge’s order protects employees in four key divisions of HHS: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products, the Office of Head Start, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. These divisions play crucial roles in public health, from fighting diseases to ensuring food safety.

In March, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the elimination of over 10, 000 jobs and the consolidation of 28 agencies into 15. Since then, some agencies, like the CDC, have had to reverse some of these layoffs. The attorneys general argued that these changes were not well thought out and would hurt essential programs, shifting costs to the states.

The layoffs were part of a broader plan called “Make America Healthy Again, ” aimed at making federal agencies more efficient. However, critics say the plan has led to the loss of important teams that regulate food and drugs, as well as programs for tobacco prevention, HIV, and maternal and infant health. Kennedy has admitted that mistakes were made and that about 20% of those fired might get their jobs back.

The judge’s ruling is a reminder that even in times of change, there are limits to what the government can do without proper authority. It also highlights the importance of these HHS programs in keeping the public safe and healthy.

HHS LAYOFFS

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