HHS sends 80K workers a $25K ‘voluntary’ resignation notice
Federal workers in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were offered buyouts to resign from their positions, according to a report from NBC News.
An email sent to nearly all 80,000 workers at HHS on Friday offered a “voluntary separation incentive payment” to resign, with a deadline for response set for March 14.
The outlet cites a person who received the email, as well as an administration official. Anyone who received the notice was offered $25,000 as an incentive to resign, per the rules of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Government workers across many sectors, including education, intelligence, and defense, have been sent similar emails in an effort to spur mass resignations. The initiatives are reportedly conducted under the guise of efficiency, with Elon Musk personally spearheading job cuts.
DOGE purge continue
In February, Musk confirmed that his initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was investigating the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in search of “big money fraud.”
Layoffs at federal healthcare agencies were widespread last month. In February, Veterans Affairs (VA) axed 1,000 jobs, only to dismiss another 1,400 employees less than two weeks later. According to multiple media reports, the VA intends to lay off as many as 83,000 more workers as part of its restructuring.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also released 1,000 employees in roles ranging from medical device approvals to drug safety testing, only to rehire 300 in short order. Around the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eliminated 1,300 positions.
It’s unclear how many employees at HHS will voluntarily resign. No layoffs have been officially announced.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.