DOGE lays off 3,600 probationary HHS employees

The Department of Government Efficiency made a bold move by terminating the employment of 3,600 probationary Health and Human Services employees, saving an estimated $600 million in taxpayer dollars annually. However, the agency took great care to retain more than half of its probationary employees, especially those serving in specialized or critical roles.

Key functions within the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) and the Administration for Strategy Preparedness and Response (ASPR) were among the areas where employees were spared from the layoffs. Scientists conducting research at the CDC and NIH, frontline healthcare providers at the Indian Health Service, and employees working on Medicare and Medicaid at CMS were also excluded from the cuts. Additionally, employees involved in drug approval and inspections at the FDA were retained.

The process of identifying critical employees involved considering the essential functions of HHS, such as frontline healthcare and emergency response, as well as evaluating individual roles based on work history, background, and job title screenings. Special attention was given to the CDC, focusing on research functions, lab work, and outbreak surveillance and response.

While DOGE does not have a predetermined cost-cutting goal, they aim to make the government more efficient without compromising critical functions. Each federal agency will undergo a unique workforce-cutting analysis, taking into account key functions, specialized responsibilities, and individual roles.

Contracts, grants, and regulations are the primary mechanisms for dispersing funds in the federal government, with each agency having its own unique considerations. The goal is to streamline operations and reduce the size of the federal workforce while ensuring that essential services are maintained.

Overall, the Department of Government Efficiency’s approach to evaluating and restructuring the federal workforce is a strategic effort to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary spending. By carefully selecting which employees to retain based on their roles and contributions, the agency aims to create a more streamlined and effective government.