The Trump administration has requested $2.9 billion in cuts to contract spending in addition to significant staff reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Government’s Efficiency Bureau asked public health agencies, including the CDC, to cut about 35% of contract spending by April 18th, which will further impact an agency already grappling with a loss of 2,400 employees. Recently, CDC scientists focusing on various health issues were terminated by the administration, further straining the agency.
White House and Department of Health and Human Services officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tom Inglesby from Johns Hopkins Center at Bloomberg School of Public Health warned that the abrupt demands for cuts will harm rather than help public health. The CDC’s largest contract, funding vaccine programs for children, is not affected by the reductions as it is mandated by law.
The CDC’s contracts cover a range of services including technology, security, and research projects. Along with other recent suspensions, a grant of $11.4 billion to states for public health initiatives was halted by HHS. The agency is now being asked to ensure oversight roles are filled following the firing of employees. This is not the first time such demands have been made by the administration, as previous cuts were also directed at specific institutions for different reasons.
A CDC scientist expressed concern over the impact of funding cuts, likening it to losing vital limbs. The uncertainty and fear of retaliation have left many within the agency uneasy about the future.
Source: www.nytimes.com