US Begins Federal Health Worker Layoffs

The US Department of Health has started firing employees as part of a plan to cut 10,000 jobs. Many workers only found out they had lost their jobs when they were stopped at the office gate and denied entry. Senior officials were directly involved in blocking them, according to the BBC.

Last week, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy announced the layoffs. The White House also said it plans to remove 3,500 employees from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These job cuts are part of a major restructuring. The department is responsible for tracking diseases, inspecting food and hospitals, and managing health insurance programs for almost half the country.

In addition to the layoffs, another 10,000 employees may leave voluntarily by accepting early retirement or buyout offers from the Trump administration.