In Trump's 11th week in office, his administration reversed previous terminations by seeking to rehire some of the 10,000 Health and Human Services employees who had been let go, a move that supports worker rights and bolsters public service continuity.

The Department of Health and Human Services initiated a major restructuring by laying off 10,000 federal employees, an action aimed at removing entrenched bureaucrats and overhauling outdated practices. The move, highlighted in a Fox News opinion piece, has sparked debate regarding its implications for transparent public health governance versus the potential harm to worker rights.

Health and Human Services announced a major restructuring along with mass layoffs, reducing its workforce by approximately 20,000 employees to cut costs and DEI spending, in line with President Trump's executive order and the 'Make America Healthy Again' push.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced it would redirect billions of dollars away from pandemic-related funding, resulting in the cancellation of over 50 free vaccine clinics and the laying off of 21 frontline public health workers in Texas, amid concerns over preparedness for outbreaks like measles.

The Department of Health and Human Services initiated enforcement of Title IX by referring Maine’s school district to the Justice Department after it failed to address concerns over transgender athlete participation in women’s sports, thereby supporting federally mandated protections for female athletes.

An editorial in Vox urged the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure robust vaccine policies to reduce preventable child mortality, emphasizing the life-saving impact of vaccines and the agency’s duty to protect public health.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s proposed overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services, which would absorb the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) into a broader agency, has raised alarms among experts and federal employees about the potential weakening of critical addiction treatment and overdose prevention services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a major restructuring that involves laying off 10,000 workers, shuttering entire agencies, and downsizing its workforce to 62,000. This overhaul, driven in part by political pressure and cost-saving measures, raises serious concerns about the degradation of labor rights and essential public health services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a sweeping restructuring plan that involves cutting 10,000 jobs, closing several regional offices, and canceling over $12 billion in state health grants. This effort, which aligns with initiatives from the new administration and elements of Elon Musk’s 'Workforce Optimization Initiative', is set to reduce the agency's workforce significantly and restructure public health services, affecting both workers and vulnerable communities.

The Trump administration announced a major restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will cut 20,000 full-time jobs and consolidate departments from 28 to 15, a move aimed at reducing government spending but risking reduced public health oversight and service provision.

CBS News reports that multiple agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services are facing drastic restructuring, including steep layoffs, forced buyout options, and potential reassignments, raising significant concerns about worker rights and the stability of essential public health services.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reversed a longstanding policy supporting robust public engagement, thereby clearing the way for swift policy changes especially in Medicaid. This action undermines democratic input and transparency, potentially enabling authoritarian decision-making.

HHS employees were offered a $25,000 voluntary buyout as part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration, through its Department of Government Efficiency, to shrink the federal workforce. This move not only jeopardizes public health services but also reflects politically motivated restructuring that undermines public accountability.

On March 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reversed a longstanding policy that promoted public participation in rulemaking. This new policy limits opportunities for public input on regulations, undermining transparency and potentially weakening accountability in federal decision-making processes.

Following guidance from the Trump administration, HHS executed massive layoffs of probationary employees, undermining both labor rights and public trust in the agency. These politically driven cuts jeopardize public health operations and reflect a broader alignment with authoritarian policy directives.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that President Donald J. Trump has nominated Gustav Chiarello, Gary Andres, and Michael Stuart to major leadership positions. The nominees, drawn from backgrounds closely tied to conservative and far-right political circles, signal a politicized appointment process that could reshape HHS's policy directions.

Widespread, politically driven layoffs at the United States Department of Health and Human Services have raised concerns about the ethical treatment of employees and the long-term impact on public health infrastructure. Critics argue that these cuts, implemented under the guidance of the Trump administration, not only diminish workforce capacity but also jeopardize the country’s ability to effectively manage public health crises.

A review of the 2024 campaign contributions and lobbying data for HHS indicates that while the department reported over $2.7 million in political contributions, it did not engage in any documented lobbying. This level of transparency and the lack of active lobbying suggest a measured involvement in federal political funding, minimizing the risk of facilitating undue authoritarian influence.

A House report reveals that the Department of Health and Human Services spent $911 million on the 'We Can Do This' campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with the Fors Marsh Group to deploy targeted and emotionally manipulative messaging that aimed to enforce public health measures and suppress dissent.

The Joint Forced Labor Working Group, co-chaired by HHS' Administration for Children and Families Office on Trafficking in Persons and Northwell Health, has issued a communications toolkit outlining measures for mitigating forced labor risks in healthcare and public health supply chains.

A House report revealed that HHS spent over $911 million on a COVID-19 vaccination promotion campaign that involved misleading messages. The campaign reportedly exaggerated the risks of COVID-19 to children, overstated vaccine efficacy, and manipulated public health messaging by erasing and altering online content, thereby undermining public trust.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published comprehensive guidelines to help healthcare and public health organizations assess and mitigate forced labor risks in their supply chains. The document outlines best practices for embedding strong anti-forced labor policies, integrating due diligence into ESG frameworks, and mapping high-risk suppliers, thus reinforcing adherence to labor rights and ethical sourcing.

Data from OpenSecrets shows that in 2024, over 1107 clients lobbied the Department of Health and Human Services. This raises concerns about potential undue influence on public health policy and the integrity of regulatory oversight, as numerous special interest groups seek access to decision-making processes.

In 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services published the National Human Trafficking Framework. The initiative included launching public awareness campaigns, funding local education agencies, and offering specialized training for health and human service providers to combat human trafficking.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a new public-private working group in collaboration with HHS, aligning with HHS's National Strategy for a Resilient Public Health Supply Chain to strengthen equitable labor conditions and mitigate risks associated with human trafficking and forced labor.

HHS, leveraging its National Strategy for a Resilient Public Health Supply Chain, is involved in a new public‐private working group aimed at addressing forced labor issues in healthcare and public services by strengthening equitable labor conditions and mitigating human trafficking risks.

An analysis of the risks and challenges posed by forced labor and human trafficking within the health care supply chain highlights potential shortcomings in ethical oversight. Although the article does not directly implicate HHS, as a key federal agency regulating health services, HHS is indirectly responsible for ensuring its supply chain partners adhere to robust human rights and labor standards.

In a joint action with the FTC, HHS has issued a warning to hospital systems and telehealth providers about the risks of online tracking technologies disclosing sensitive health information to third parties. The alert emphasizes the need for robust privacy protections under HIPAA and FTC guidelines, aiming to prevent unauthorized exploitation of personal health data.

A House report revealed that HHS, through a partnership with the Fors Marsh Group, spent $911 million from August 2020 to June 2023 on a propaganda campaign to promote compliance with COVID-19 health policies by deploying emotionally manipulative messaging and targeted media strategies.

On May 9, 2023, HHS played a pivotal role in a convening event aimed at educating healthcare leaders on the risks associated with forced labor in supply chains. The event included the dissemination of federal guidelines and informational resources to help detect and prevent exploitative labor practices in the healthcare sector.

On May 9, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services played a key role in a convening addressing forced labor and human trafficking in healthcare supply chains. The event featured resources such as the HHS informational memo on the federal statutory and regulatory framework, and highlighted HHS's continuing efforts to combat labor trafficking and enhance ethical supply chain practices in healthcare.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, via its Administration for Children and Families, has formed a Joint Forced Labor Working Group in collaboration with industry leaders to combat forced labor and human trafficking in the international healthcare supply chain.

The HHS Office on Trafficking in Persons, part of the Administration for Children & Families, released an informational memorandum outlining the Federal Statutory and Regulatory Framework of Forced Labor in Healthcare and Public Health Supply Chains. The guidance aims to help healthcare administrators and procurement professionals identify and mitigate forced labor risks in supply chains.

The Office on Trafficking in Persons at the Administration for Children & Families within HHS published an informational memorandum outlining the federal statutory and regulatory framework to guide health care administrators and procurement professionals in identifying and addressing forced labor in healthcare and public health supply chains.

On September 16, 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Trafficking in Persons issued a memorandum to healthcare administrators, procurement professionals, and suppliers, outlining methods and resources to identify, prevent, and address forced labor in health care supply chains.

HHS issued a public request for information on forced labor in healthcare supply chains as part of its effort to strengthen the resilience of public health supply chains and address labor abuses. This proactive inquiry reflects a commitment to transparency and ethical responsibility in supply chain practices.

An OIG report from January 2022 highlights that HHS's suspension and debarment program has effectively protected federal funding by excluding entities engaged in misconduct, though it also identifies areas needing improvement such as internal leadership consistency, case management, and timely action. The report recommends steps to enhance the program's efficiency and guidance.

Medical associations leveraged their influence to drive DHHS to address issues in its regulatory guidance related to the Harkin Amendment, culminating in a mandate for enforcement by January 2022. This move supports transparent public policy and improved healthcare regulatory practices.

A House committee report alleges that HHS spent over $911M on a multimedia advertising campaign from August 2020 to June 2023 that overstated COVID-19 risks—especially to children—and promoted misleading information on masking, vaccines, and boosters. The report criticizes the campaign for using taxpayer funds to push a narrative that diverged from established evidence and contributed to public distrust.