Current, Former CDC Staff Warn Against Slashing Support to Local Public Health Departments
CDC Budget Cuts Spark Public Health Concerns
Updated June 03, 2025
Atlanta-area Democratic U.S. Rep.Nikema Williams recently hosted a rally with union members and former federal workers, including Ryan Sloane, who was terminated from his position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sloane, a public affairs specialist, said he received his termination notice via email late on a holiday weekend.
SloaneS role at the CDC involved informing local media about public health threats. He and others are seeking reinstatement, but he spoke out, saying, “I’m onyl here today because they cannot fire me twice.”
The Trump management previously removed some CDC webpages and paused external communications, including the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. While some information was restored after a court order,the disruptions raised concerns about the flow of critical information to state and local health departments.
Former CDC Director Tom Frieden emphasized the importance of collaboration between the CDC and local health departments.”CDC is there to provide technical information, provide funding, provide support, but it’s a collaborative work, working together to keep Americans safe,” Frieden said.
A CDC clinician, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted the agency’s unique ability to deploy specialized teams and medical supplies during outbreaks. The clinician also noted that budget cuts at the federal level impact state and local health departments, as much of their funding comes from federal sources.
Republican U.S.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defended the budget cuts, citing the national debt.”Anytime someone gets fired, it’s always challenging. But with $36 trillion in debt, we have to reduce the size of the federal government,” Greene said. She expressed hope that the terminated federal workers would find new jobs.
emory University epidemiology professor Patrick Sullivan, a former CDC employee, emphasized the importance of federal support for public health. He noted advancements in HIV treatment and prevention as examples of what can be achieved with adequate resources. sullivan warned that scientific tools alone are insufficient without sufficient public health staff and funding.
What’s next
The long-term effects of these budget cuts on the nation’s ability to respond to public health emergencies remain to be seen. public health experts continue to monitor the situation and advocate for adequate funding and staffing to protect communities.