HHS Furloughs 32,460 Employees During Shutdown, Essential Health Services Continue
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that around 32,460 employees will be furloughed during the government shutdown. This represents approximately 41% of the department's total staff. Despite the significant number of furloughs, crucial health programs and essential services will continue to operate.
HHS expects to retain around 79,717 employees during the shutdown, including roughly 15,000 who will perform activities required or implied by law. Agencies that will continue to function, albeit with reduced staff, include the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Many other services and departments will halt or operate at reduced efficiency due to the furloughs. However, the government shutdown will not affect crucial health programs and public health services, which will continue to operate as normal.
In total, 32,460 HHS employees will be furloughed during the government shutdown, but the department assures that essential services and health programs will continue to function. The retained staff, including those from ASPR, NIH, CDC, and FDA, will ensure that critical health services remain available during the government shutdown.
