Trump Administration Fires Health Employees Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
The Trump administration has issued termination notifications to an unknown number of federal health employees, sparking concerns about the legality of the move amidst the ongoing government shutdown. According to sources within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the terminations are part of a larger effort to reduce the HHS workforce, which has already been significantly downsized since Trump took office.
The latest round of layoffs brings the total number of employees let go by the administration to over 20,000, with many more facing uncertain futures. The mass reduction in force is seen as a direct result of the government shutdown, which Democrats blame on Republican opposition to Affordable Care Act tax credits. "This is a clear example of how the Trump administration is using the shutdown as an excuse to further dismantle the healthcare system," said a senior official at HHS, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Department of Health and Human Services has taken heavy hits since Trump came to office, with a workforce reduction from 82,000 to 62,000. In early 2019, the administration pushed out 10,000 employees through early retirements, deferred resignations, and other efforts. The current shutdown, which is now in its third week, has only exacerbated the situation.
"This is almost certainly illegal," said a federal employment lawyer, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about retaliation from the administration. "The Trump administration is using the shutdown as a pretext to terminate employees without following proper procedures."
Critics argue that the terminations are not only a blow to the healthcare system but also a threat to public health and safety. "These employees are not just bureaucrats; they are critical to the delivery of healthcare services to millions of Americans," said Dr. [Name], a leading expert on healthcare policy.
The Trump administration has yet to comment on the specific number of employees affected by the terminations or provide details about the process for selecting which employees would be let go. As the government shutdown continues, concerns are growing about the long-term impact on the healthcare system and the employees who work within it.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said that the agency is "working to ensure continuity of operations" during the shutdown but declined to comment further on the terminations. The situation remains fluid, with many employees facing uncertainty about their future employment status.
As the government shutdown enters its third week, it remains unclear when or if a resolution will be reached. In the meantime, the Trump administration's actions have sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the impact on public health and safety.
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica and Ars Technica.
