CDC Hiring: 400 Staff Reinstated | Becker’s Hospital Review
The CDC is actively reinstating over 400 employees after previous job cuts, a decisive move to fortify key public health programs. These rehires, heavily focused on areas like HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis prevention, reflect the agency’s commitment to addressing prior staffing concerns. News Directory 3 reports on this meaningful shift,which follows legal challenges and internal reviews pointing to potential errors in the initial layoff decisions. This reinstatement effort aims to strengthen the CDC’s capacity to tackle critical health challenges.With over 700 rehired so far, the agency is signaling its intent to reassess its personnel needs, especially regarding programs dedicated to environmental health and health statistics. Discover what’s next for the CDC’s workforce strategy.
CDC Reinstates Over 400 Employees After Job Cuts
Updated June 12, 2025
The Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) is reversing course on recent staff reductions, planning to reinstate more than 400 employees who were previously laid off. This decision follows internal reviews and aims to reinforce critical public health initiatives.
According to reports, approximately half of the returning employees will be assigned to the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention. Another third will support the National center for Environmental Health. Additional staff will be rehired across various departments, including the National Center for Health Statistics, the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, and the Office of Communications.
To date, over 700 of the roughly 2,400 CDC employees initially terminated in April have been offered reinstatement. This follows an earlier announcement in May that 328 workers in the CDC’s National institute for Occupational Safety and Health would be rehired. The institute focuses on screening coal miners for black lung disease and coordinating healthcare coverage for 9/11 first responders.
The initial layoffs triggered legal action. On June 3, former HHS employees filed a lawsuit against former Department of Government efficiency leader Elon Musk and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alleging the decision to terminate 10,000 federal health employees was based on flawed data.Shortly after the sweeping layoffs were announced, Kennedy acknowledged potential errors and suggested that around 20% of the affected employees could be reinstated.
What’s next
The CDC’s move to reinstate employees signals a renewed focus on strengthening its workforce and addressing critical public health challenges. The agency is expected to continue evaluating its staffing needs and making adjustments as necessary to ensure effective operation.