The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reportedly detailed contingency plans that would involve furloughing 41 percent of its workforce should Congress fail to prevent a looming government shutdown. This plan outlines specific impacts across various health agencies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) anticipates furloughing 64 percent of its staff, which could impede its capacity to provide guidance on public health issues such as opioid overdoses, HIV prevention, and diabetes prevention, in addition to hampering communication. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) expects to furlough over 75 percent of its workforce, leading to the suspension of grant peer reviews, advisory council meetings, and basic research, and limiting new patient admissions to the Clinical Center to medically necessary cases only. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is projected to retain 86 percent of its workforce, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would keep 53 percent of its employees, though its ability to provide oversight to major contractors would be affected.
The overall plan suggests the suspension of critical functions, including public health messaging, contractor oversight, and medical research. Programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and FDA drug approvals are expected to continue operating, but other public health functions face significant disruptions, according to the report.
Source: www.livemint.com