Public Health
Trump’s FDA pick faces questions about leading the agency
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who will oversee her confirmation, says Dr. Heidi Overton’s management experience and role in the administration’s vaccine policy raise concerns.
New CDC chief looks to rebuild a workforce fearful of retaliation
On Wednesday, Dr. Erica Schwartz told staff “there is no retribution for honest thought and honest conversation” under her leadership.
The CDC director’s job just got a lot more complicated
Dr. Erica Schwartz is taking over an agency facing a string of outbreaks, political pressure and deep workforce cuts. Her Senate confirmation gives Congress a new way to hold her accountable.
Federal agencies are looking beyond the usual sources for new ideas
NIH is offering $1 million for practical ideas that could help long-acting HIV prevention and treatment reach more people, and applicants do not need a traditional research background to participate.
‘We’re still in hell’: A year later, CDC employees remain shaken by headquarters shooting — and angry at agency leaders’ response
The agency is also contending with deep workforce cuts and leadership changes as a new director prepares to take over.
CDC nominee clears key Senate hurdle despite vaccine scrutiny
Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination now heads to the full Senate after lawmakers pressed her on how she would handle political influence over the agency.
CDC shifts HIV prevention funds away from groups tackling this work
The health agency will route HIV prevention grants through state and local health departments instead of directly funding community-based organizations.
A year after State layoffs, ex-feds say U.S. is paying the price in Iran and Ebola crises
Democratic lawmakers at a Thursday press conference also touted a new bill that would exempt foreign service officers who were pushed out by the Trump administration from being required to take the Foreign Service Officer Test if they wish to rejoin.
CDC nominee faces questions over whether she can lead the agency independently
Dr. Erica Schwartz sought to reassure senators she would follow the science as lawmakers pressed her on vaccines, abortion data and disease surveillance.
EEOC says government must pay damages to some employees subject to Biden's vaccine mandate
The Biden administration unlawfully failed to accommodate a handful of employees' religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine, the EEOC ruled Monday.
‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Dems question RFK Jr. on HHS priorities and budget decisions
Lawmakers pressed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on proposed spending reductions and agency priorities, criticizing both policy decisions and his public messaging as they questioned the department’s direction under the Trump budget.
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6 federal scientists run out by Trump talk about the work left undone
“There’s been a fundamental destruction,” one researcher said. It’s going to “take a very, very long time to rebuild.”
RFK Jr. made promises in order to become Health Secretary. He’s broken many of them
Before being confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation’s official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
Public health workers are quitting over assignments to Guantánamo
The Trump administration's immigration policies have directed nearly 800 detainees to the U.S. military base in Cuba, but some officials from the U.S. Public Health Service tasked with overseeing their treatment are raising concerns.
Laid off HHS employees win judge approval to seek class action suit
Employees say they are entitled to financial compensation for the errors HHS made when trying to force them out.
Out of government, former USAID employees continue to offer their expertise
Former development workers founded Aid on the Hill to lobby members of Congress about international assistance.
Dueling HHS reversals whipsaw federal employees, grant recipients
Hundreds of laid off employees were recalled to work, but thousands of grant recipients had their funds rescinded with no notice.
Trump administration agrees to drop anti-DEI criteria for stalled health research grants
The Health and Human Services Department will allow the National Institutes of Health to resume considering current research grant applications while legal challenges over the Trump administration's new grant funding criteria play out in court.
HHS adds new conditions to telework for employees with disabilities
The Trump administration has sought to largely prevent federal employees from working remotely.
‘It’s more important than ever’: Federal employee awards program endures in time of civil service job cuts
Two winners of the Arthur S. Flemming award who spoke to "Government Executive" emphasized the importance of agency internships as well as their own work expanding and protecting access to clean water in the U.S.
