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HHS Rehires Over 450 Previously Fired CDC Employees

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is rehiring more than 450 previously fired employees belonging to multiple divisions within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This move follows the Trump administration's efforts to reorganize HHS and its sub-agencies, which resulted in up to 10,000 layoffs at various health agencies. The rehired workers come from four different operational divisions within the CDC: the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention (NCHHSTP); the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH); the Immediate Office of the Director (IOD); and the Global Health Center (GHC). According to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the decision to rehire employees was part of the plan from the beginning, with the intention of reinstating 20% of those initially let go due to mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 450 previously fired CDC employees will be rehired by HHS, including 214 from NCHHSTP, 158 from NCEH, 71 from IOD, and 24 from GHC.
  • The rehiring follows the Trump administration's efforts to reorganize HHS and its sub-agencies, which resulted in up to 10,000 layoffs at various health agencies.
  • The move aims to correct mistakes made during the initial reduction in force, with Secretary Kennedy stating that 20% of those let go would be reinstated.
  • NCHHSTP will see the greatest number of employees rehired, with 214 returning, while NCEH will see the next greatest number, with 158 coming back.
  • IOD will see 71 employees rehired, and CDC's Global Health Center will see 24 rehired workers.
  • This is not an isolated incident, as the Internal Revenue Service, the Food and Drug Administration, the State Department, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have also taken actions to rehire employees following reductions in force.
  • The Trump administration is committed to protecting essential services, including supporting coal miners and firefighters, safeguarding public health, and researching and tracking communicable diseases.

Statistics:

  • 450: The number of previously fired CDC employees being rehired by HHS.
  • 214: The number of NCHHSTP employees being rehired, consisting of several smaller groups, including the Division of HIV Prevention.
  • 158: The number of NCEH employees being rehired, consisting of multiple groups, including the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice.
  • 71: The number of IOD employees being rehired.
  • 24: The number of CDC's Global Health Center employees being rehired.
  • 10,000: The estimated number of layoffs at various health agencies resulting from the Trump administration's efforts to reorganize HHS and its sub-agencies.

Sources:

  • "FIRST ON FOX: HHS Rehiring More Than 450 Previously Fired CDC Employees" by TourismAfrica2006, June 12, 2025.
  • "Trump administration reorganizes HHS, cuts 10,000 jobs at health agencies" by Washington Post, date not specified.
  • "HHS reorganization under Trump takes shape, with changes at CDC, FDA, and more" by CBS News, date not specified.
  • "Internal Revenue Service Rehires Employees Following Reduction in Force" by Washington Post, date not specified.
  • Statement from HHS Spokesperson Andrew Nixon, date not specified.

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