Mass cuts of federal health policy researchers begin

Two small HHS subagencies are taking big hits, and former and current employees say data-driven work will be severely impaired.

April 2, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images STAT+ | Trump administration begins mass cuts of federal health policy researchers ASPE and AHRQ are losing key research staff as part of the HHS cuts Tuesday. Current and former employees worry vital data-driven research will suffer. By Bob Herman and Tara Bannow After RFK Jr.'s 'radical transparency' pledge, HHS shutters much of its communications, FOIA operations Workers say the move will impair the department's ability to relay health information and runs counter to the health secretary's vow to be transparent. By Elaine Chen, Lizzy Lawrence, and Isabella Cueto STAT+ | Five NIH institute directors and numerous lab heads ousted in unprecedented shake-up NIH layoffs include scientists working on sickle cell and pandemics: "The defining standard for biomedical research is now being ransacked." By Megan Molteni, Jonathan Wosen, and Jason Mast Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images HHS firings undermine federal government's ability to care for vulnerable Americans Layoffs across health agencies could disrupt the flow of millions of dollars in grants and critical services for Americans with disabilities. By O. Rose Broderick STAT+ | FTC suit over PBMs' insulin pricing is delayed in part by Trump firings The delay comes because because the agency does not have enough commissioners to hear the case. It is a "gift to the PBMs," says former chair Lina Khan. By Ed Silverman Use DOGE to deregulate methadone as addiction medicine, coalition urges Trump The addiction medicine methadone is known as "liquid handcuffs" because of surrounding regulations. A coalition wants DOGE to cut through them. By Lev Facher Alex Wong/Getty Images Opinion: A former HHS secretary's fears for America's future Former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala on bipartisan support for vaccines, how to save money without gutting HHS, and her fears for American public health. By Torie Bosch Opinion: Every doctor is a writer: On the end of note-writing and meaning-making in medicine The turn to AI note-taking marks a profound blow to the humanity of one physician's work and her relationships with her patients. By Christine Henneberg

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