20 States Challenge Trump Administration's Massive HHS Job Cuts in Federal Lawsuit
Federal health agencies face unprecedented staffing cuts as 19 state attorneys general challenge the Trump administration's plans to reduce HHS workforce by nearly 25%. The proposed cuts would eliminate 20,000 jobs through layoffs, retirements, and attrition.
HHS logo
The 2026 budget allocates $94 billion to HHS, a $33 billion reduction from 2025. The plan consolidates 28 HHS divisions into 15 and reduces regional offices from 10 to five.
Key impacts by agency:
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
- Reduced ability to track and respond to health threats
- Delays in infectious disease and foodborne illness messaging
- Closure of critical facilities, including world's only STI genetic tracing lab
- Diminished support for local health emergencies
FDA (Food and Drug Administration):
- 3,500 positions targeted for elimination
- Reduced facility inspections
- Slower product approval processes
- Compromised food and medication safety oversight
- Potential medical supply chain disruptions
NIH (National Institutes of Health):
- Budget reduction from $48 billion to $27 billion
- Elimination of 5,000 positions
- Delayed research grant reviews and funding
- Reduced support for scientific innovation
- Impact on medical training programs
Additional consequences include:
- Disruption of public health grant programs
- Reduced coordination between federal, state, and local systems
- Widening health disparities
- Decreased support for rural and maternal health programs
- Potential loss of experienced public health professionals
State attorneys general argue these cuts exceed HHS's legal authority and violate Constitutional separation of powers by reducing Congressionally authorized programs.