Experts weigh in on impact of HHS cuts: Balancing national debt and public health concerns

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday 10,000 full-time employees are being let go as the agency continues its overhaul of the nations health agencies.

Jeff Haymond, an economics professor at Cedarville University, believes there are multiple levels to the cuts. First, the human level, as thousands of people are losing their jobs.

It is certainly very difficult for the people involved. Let's not miss the human element," Haymond said.

But second, the overall macro perspective, as the U.S. is currently carrying over $36 trillion in national debt.

I'm actually, at one level, very encouraged that the administration is finally starting to deal with this problem of spending," said Haymond.

Among the cuts, 3,500 are from the Food & Drug Administration. There were also around 2,400 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 from the National Institutes of Health, and 300 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

The HHS said the reductions will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year.

Jocelyn Johnston, a professor of public policy at American University believes these moves will only end up hurting individual states.

States that have typically spent less on many public health programs -- Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana," Johnston said.

But more specifically Medicaid, which millions of Americans enroll in.

One-third of Americans are touched by Medicaid. They're receiving services through Medicaid," said Johnston.

From a legal perspective, Madeline Summerville, who is an attorney and political analyst, said the employees will have ground to stand on.

If you are a federal employee who is not a political appointee or political employee, you do have protections," Summerville said.

That's especially if there's what's called a reduction in force. She said there are strict guidelines that govern the process of reducing an agency.

When you decide to get rid of those employees, you have to consider things like tenure or performance ratings or veterans status." said Summerville.

The cuts made on Thursday come on top of the 10,000 employees who already voluntarily left multiple health agencies. Shrinking the total workforce from about 82,000 full-time employees to 62,000.