On October 10, a wave of layoff notices swept through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leaving many employees, including Aryn Melton Backus, in shock. Despite her hopes of job security, Backus received an email informing her she was part of a significant reduction in force (RIF) during the ongoing US government shutdown. This marked the third time this year she had been terminated and subsequently reinstated, shedding light on the ongoing turmoil and inefficiencies within US health agencies.
The recent round of layoffs has raised serious concerns regarding the impact on public health programs. According to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents federal workers, these layoffs are illegal and have prompted a lawsuit against the government. Approximately a quarter of the CDC's workforce has been diminished through multiple rounds of layoffs, severely affecting the agency's ability to fulfill its mission and responsibilities.
Many employees who were forced to work without pay during the shutdown received RIF notices, while others learned they would not return to their positions after being furloughed. Alarmingly, even employees who were supposed to be protected from layoffs due to an ongoing lawsuit were not spared. The human resources department at the CDC was temporarily brought back from unpaid furlough to process around 1,300 layoffs, only to have its entire staff eliminated shortly thereafter.
Several crucial departments within the CDC have faced severe cuts. The ethics office and the institutional review board (IRB) were disbanded, stripping the CDC of its oversight capabilities regarding ethical violations and research protocols. Additionally, the entire library staff, integral to research and recommendations, has been terminated. The elimination of the Washington office, responsible for developing policy briefings and providing information to Congress, further complicates the agency's operations.
Other significant cuts included the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the national health and nutrition examination survey, and staff dedicated to suicide prevention. Karen Remley, a former CDC official, emphasized that these layoffs hinder the agency's ability to function effectively, noting that the eradication of critical programs like the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) destabilizes vital public health work.
Employees at the CDC have not only faced job insecurity but also harassment and threats. On August 8, a gunman fired 500 rounds at the CDC headquarters, tragically resulting in the death of Officer David Rose and leaving many employees traumatized. There have also been instances of doxing, where personal information of health agency employees has been publicly revealed, adding to the already intense pressures they face.
Matthew Buckham, acting chief of staff, has been associated with a group maintaining a controversial “DEI Watch List” targeting HHS employees, contributing to the toxic environment within the agency. High-profile departures from leadership have further exacerbated the situation, leaving the CDC without experienced public health or medical professionals to guide its recommendations.
The first round of layoffs occurred on Valentine's Day, affecting both probationary and established employees. Following a judge's ruling in September, some of the probationary terminations were reversed, leading to a temporary reinstatement of certain employees. On April 1, additional layoffs occurred, including the elimination of entire offices like the one focused on smoking and health, where Backus worked.
Backus's experience highlights the chaos within the agency, as she received multiple layoff notices, only to have one rescinded within 24 hours. Currently on administrative leave, she described her situation as "limbo," where she grapples with ongoing court cases and uncertainty about her future.
Charlotte Kent, former editor-in-chief of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), expressed her concerns about the inefficiencies and mismanagement of resources resulting from these layoffs. The MMWR, notably included in the president’s budget request this year, faced cuts that surprised many in the public health community.
John Brooks, a retired CDC official, criticized the layoffs as a display of “stunning incompetency,” noting that the elimination of the Washington staff means Congress lacks direct access to the agency for critical information and briefings. While the Trump administration claims that about 700 of the terminations were a result of a coding error, many believe this narrative is misleading.
Abigail Tighe, a former CDC employee, articulated that these layoffs represent an intentional attack on public health, warning of the dire consequences for Americans. “Our country is on an uncertain and frankly frightening path,” she stated, urging Congress to take action to address the situation. The ongoing turmoil at the CDC poses a significant threat not only to the agency's effectiveness but also to the health and safety of the American population.