CDC Rehires 450 Employees in HHS Restructuring Reversal: A Step Toward Restoring Public Health Priorities

Introduction: A Surprising Turn for Public Health

In a move that has sparked both relief and curiosity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has rehired over 450 employees who were let go during a sweeping Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring in April 2025. This decision, revealed through internal documents, signals a partial reversal of earlier cuts that reduced the CDC’s workforce by approximately 2,400 employees. Among the reinstated staff are those from the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), a critical branch overseeing programs like childhood lead poisoning prevention. But what does this mean for public health, and why the sudden change of heart? Let’s dive into the details and explore the implications of this development for communities across the U.S.

The Context: A Controversial HHS Restructuring

In March 2025, the HHS, under the leadership of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced a bold plan to cut 10,000 jobs across its agencies, including the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH). The restructuring aimed to streamline operations, reduce “bureaucratic sprawl,” and refocus efforts on combating chronic diseases, as part of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. The CDC alone saw 2,400 employees laid off, with entire divisions, including those addressing HIV, smoking cessation, and environmental health, facing significant reductions or outright elimination.

The layoffs, which began on April 1, 2025, caused widespread chaos. Employees reported receiving termination notices via early-morning emails, and some were even turned away from their workplaces when their security badges failed. The cuts sparked outrage among public health experts, who warned that slashing staff in critical areas like infectious disease tracking and environmental toxin monitoring could jeopardize the nation’s ability to respond to health crises. Lawsuits followed, with 19 states arguing that the layoffs lacked constitutional or statutory authority.

The Reversal: 450 Employees Return

Fast forward to June 11, 2025, when internal documents revealed that the CDC was bringing back 450 of the laid-off employees. The rehired staff primarily come from four key divisions: the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, the Immediate Office of the Director, and the Global Health Center. Notably, over 120 employees were reinstated to the NCEH, which plays a vital role in protecting children from lead exposure and monitoring environmental toxins like wildfire smoke and radiation.

The reinstatement of the NCEH’s lead prevention team is particularly significant. Earlier cuts had left communities, such as Milwaukee schools dealing with hazardous lead levels, without federal support. Erik Svendsen, NCEH Division Director, likened the rehiring to “Dunkirk when many civilian hands helped save the army,” expressing relief at the restoration of critical staff. The move has been hailed as a win for vulnerable populations, particularly children, who are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.

Why the Change? Unanswered Questions

The reasons behind the rehiring remain murky. HHS Secretary Kennedy acknowledged in April that approximately 20% of the layoffs were “mistakes,” suggesting that some terminations were errors in the chaotic restructuring process. However, no clear explanation has been provided for this specific reversal. Some speculate that public outcry, ongoing lawsuits, or pressure from Congress—such as the bipartisan Senate committee requesting Kennedy’s testimony—may have prompted the decision. Others point to the practical need to maintain essential public health functions, especially in areas like lead poisoning prevention, which directly align with the administration’s stated goal of improving health outcomes.

Interestingly, HHS officials have indicated that any rehiring might be offset by additional layoffs to maintain the overall reduction in workforce numbers. This policy raises concerns about whether the CDC’s capacity to address public health challenges will remain compromised, even with these reinstatements.

Impact on Communities: A Case Study in Milwaukee

The reinstatement of NCEH staff is a lifeline for communities grappling with environmental health crises. In Milwaukee, for example, the earlier cuts had left schools struggling to address lead contamination in their buildings without federal assistance. Lead exposure is a serious public health issue, particularly for children, as it can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and long-term health problems. The return of over 120 NCEH employees ensures that programs aimed at preventing and mitigating such risks can resume, offering hope to families and educators in affected areas.

Beyond lead prevention, the rehired staff will bolster efforts to monitor other environmental threats, such as wildfire smoke and radiation exposure, which have become increasingly relevant amid climate change and industrial activities. The Global Health Center’s reinstatement of about two dozen employees also strengthens the CDC’s ability to monitor international health threats, a critical function in an interconnected world.

Public Reaction: Hope, Skepticism, and Calls for Transparency

The rehiring announcement has elicited mixed reactions. On one hand, public health advocates and affected communities have expressed relief, particularly for the restoration of programs like lead poisoning prevention. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users like@PiQSuite highlighting the importance of these roles in supporting “vital public health programs.” On the other hand, skepticism persists about the HHS’s broader restructuring plan and its long-term impact on public health infrastructure. Critics argue that the initial layoffs were poorly planned and that the rehiring may be a reactive measure to quell backlash rather than a strategic move to strengthen the CDC.

The lack of transparency from HHS has fueled distrust. Kennedy’s refusal to answer questions about the rehiring decision during a public appearance at the Kennedy Center on June 11 only deepened concerns. As lawsuits against the HHS continue and Congress pushes for clarity, the public remains eager for answers about how these changes will affect the nation’s health security.

What’s Next for the CDC and Public Health?

The rehiring of 450 CDC employees is a step in the right direction, but it’s only a partial fix to a larger problem. The initial layoffs gutted critical divisions, and the reinstatement of less than 20% of the affected workforce leaves many programs understaffed. For example, while the NCEH and HIV prevention divisions have regained some capacity, other areas—like smoking cessation and reproductive health—remain severely impacted. The CDC’s ability to respond to emerging threats, such as infectious disease outbreaks or environmental disasters, may still be compromised.

Moreover, the HHS’s commitment to offsetting rehiring with new layoffs raises questions about the sustainability of these changes. Public health experts, like Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association, have warned that the restructuring could weaken the nation’s ability to prevent deaths and respond to emergencies. As the CDC navigates this turbulent period, its role as a global leader in public health hangs in the balance.

Conclusion: A Call for Stability and Accountability

The CDC’s decision to rehire 450 employees is a welcome development for communities relying on programs like lead poisoning prevention and global health monitoring. However, the broader context of the HHS restructuring and the uncertainty surrounding future layoffs underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability. Public health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity that affects every American, from children in Milwaukee schools to families facing the health impacts of wildfires. As the nation watches these changes unfold, it’s clear that the stakes are high, and the path forward requires careful consideration of what it truly means to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Thought-Provoking Questions for Readers

1. How do you think the CDC’s rehiring of 450 employees will impact public health programs in your community, especially those addressing environmental hazards like lead exposure?

2. Should the HHS prioritize reinstating more staff in critical areas like infectious disease tracking, even if it means further restructuring other divisions?

3. What role should transparency play in major government restructuring efforts, and how can agencies like the CDC rebuild public trust after such turbulent changes?

4. Given the ongoing lawsuits and public outcry, do you believe the HHS’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative is on the right track, or does it need a course correction?