Statement on Re-Organization of the Department of Health and Human Services

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) is extremely distressed by the recently announced reorganization and elimination of agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), coupled with a reduction in force (RIF) that is laying off 10,000 staff in addition to the approximately 10,000 who have already resigned. These layoffs would amount to approximately a 25% reduction in staff at HHS. Indiscriminate cuts and restructuring are risking significant disruptions to our public health infrastructure and, ultimately, worse health outcomes for the American people.

SHM has been a strong supporter of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is the only agency focused on funding and supporting health services research. As part of the reorganization at HHS, AHRQ is being merged with another office and its staffing slashed in half. This eliminates decades of institutional knowledge and calls into question whether AHRQ can continue to fulfill its vital role in our healthcare system. This is just one example of significant disruptions to the crucial work of agencies across HHS to serve the American public and work towards a more efficient, higher quality healthcare system.

We face a myriad of public health crises today – from an acute outbreak in measles, the threat of bird flu across the nation, and a terrible influenza season – with a healthcare workforce experiencing significant burnout and duress. We require a skilled, efficient federal workforce to be a partner in addressing these public health challenges. We urge the administration to prioritize the health and well-being of Americans and work to ensure cuts or reorganization at HHS are carefully targeted and do not threaten or curtail the vital work of its agencies.

Flora Kisuule, MD, MPH, SFHM
President, SHM Board of Directors

Eric E. Howell, MD, MHM
Chief Executive Officer, SHM

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