Trump Administration Offers $25,000 Buyouts to HHS Employees

The Department of Health and Human Services has offered voluntary buyouts worth $25,000 to most of its 80,000 employees. Staff received the buyout proposal via email last Friday evening. Employees can start applying today. All responses must reach human resources offices by Friday, March 14 at 5 p.m.

HHS manages critical health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and Food and Drug Administration. The department controls a massive $1.7 trillion annual budget. Medicare and Medicaid programs consume most of these funds.

The buyout supports President Trump’s broader initiative to shrink federal government. His administration works alongside Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to implement workforce reductions.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously indicated his plans for staff cuts. “I have a list in my head,” Kennedy stated in February regarding potential dismissals. He specifically criticized employees who “made really bad decisions” on nutrition guidelines.

The timing raises concerns as CDC staff currently battle a measles outbreak across West Texas and New Mexico. Two deaths have occurred so far. Health experts worry these reductions might weaken emergency response capabilities.

Similar buyouts recently reached Social Security Administration employees. Federal agencies announced 62,200 job cuts in February alone. These cuts pushed nationwide layoffs to their highest level since July 2020.

The administration previously offered federal workers deferred resignations with eight months of salary. About 75,000 employees accepted this initial offer. Thousands of probationary employees also faced termination.