Trump Administration Fires Health Employees Amid Government Shutdown Chaos

Breaking News: Trump Admin Fires More Health Employees Amid Government Shutdown The Trump administration has fired an unknown number of federal health employees as part of a mass reduction in force, sparking concerns about the legality and impact on public health services. According to sources, termination notifications were sent out to HHS employees across multiple divisions on Friday afternoon. Timeline: Early this year, the Trump administration pushed out 10,000 employees through early retirements and layoffs, reducing the HHS workforce from 82,000 to 62,000. The current government shutdown, which began over a dispute about Affordable Care Act tax credits, has left more than 32,000 HHS employees furloughed. Immediate Impact: The firing of these employees comes as the government remains shut down, with many health services and programs facing significant disruptions. HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon confirmed that termination notices were sent out, but declined to provide further details on the number of employees affected or their agencies. Background Context: The Department of Health and Human Services has faced significant cuts under the Trump administration, with critics arguing that these reductions will have long-term consequences for public health services. The American Medical Association and other medical organizations have expressed concerns about the impact of these layoffs on patient care. What Happens Next: As the government shutdown continues, it remains unclear how many more employees will be affected by these terminations or what measures will be taken to mitigate the impact on public health services. Congressional leaders are expected to hold emergency meetings to discuss a resolution to the shutdown and potential legislation to address the staffing shortages in HHS. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Arstechnica reporting.*