Health and Human Services to cut 20,000 employees in restructuring plan

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says will allow them to do more while saving taxpayers’ money.

Tariffs are not the only topic on the Hill this week. The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) will soon lay off thousands of workers under DOGE-led restructuring efforts. A move, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a press release, would allow the department to do more while saving taxpayers’ money.

Health and Human Services covers agencies like the FDA and CDC. Kennedy says he is releasing 20,000 workers from the Agency, 3,500 of whom will be from the FDA. Kennedy says the FDA will streamline operations while centralizing administrative functions.

The restructuring will cut the Department’s 28 divisions to 15 and could save just under $2 billion a year.

Related Stories
Brazil’s ethanol growth could shift the corn trade.
Kansas row crop farmer Brad Keeler joins us to discuss drought conditions, planting decisions, input costs, and overall farmer sentiment in his region.
AFBF Economist Danny Munch joined us to discuss snowpack levels in the Colorado River Basin, water supply concerns, and the potential impact on agricultural production.
Donald Chase of Chase Farms joined us to discuss drought conditions, planting progress, input costs, and the outlook for Georgia agriculture.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hints at new fertilizer plan while trade deals, soybean markets, and farm bill momentum drive ag policy discussion.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Restructuring Aims to Improve Government Efficiency and Better Serve American Farmers

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy joined us to discuss diesel price volatility and what farmers can expect as geopolitical tensions continue to impact energy markets.
Farm programs remain small but politically easier to expand.
Pat Hord with the National Pork Producers Council joined us to recap producer meetings in Washington and discuss key policy priorities including Prop 12 and agricultural labor.
As budget hearings continue on Capitol Hill, policymakers focus on long-term solutions to stabilize the fertilizer market to support U.S. farmers.
Rising global supplies may cap soybean price strength, while sorghum prices hinge heavily on China’s export demand.