The Trump administration's effort to slash the size of the federal workforce reached the FDA this weekend, as recently hired employees who review the safety of food ingredients, medical devices and other products were fired. Probationary employees across the FDA received notices Saturday evening that their jobs were being eliminated. The total number of positions eliminated was not clear Sunday, but the firings appeared to focus on employees in the agency's centers for food, medical devices and tobacco products. It was not clear whether FDA employees who review drugs were exempted.
Agency staff were notified in emails that all the centers, institutes and offices received a list of their staff members who are in probationary or temporary status, according to a senior CDC official who requested anonymity. Senior leaders were asked to designate who on the list were mission critical and not mission critical, the source who has direct knowledge of the actions told NPR.
Baystate Health is cutting nearly 100 corporate positions as the hospital group works to address its financial problems. Baystate Health says the staff reduction impacts less than 1% of their workforce with 98 corporate positions being eliminated. In November, Baystate Health cut another 134 leadership positions. Some of the impacted positions are currently vacant and will no longer be filled, but there are also individuals leaving Baystate. Baystate Health says they are working to find alternate positions for people whose jobs were eliminated. Eligible employees who are not moved to other positions will receive severance pay and other job support, including access to career transition services.
As Lawrence General takes over Holy Family and four other former Steward Health Care hospitals, they face a number of challenges. One of the most significant may be integrating thousands of former Steward employees who watched conditions in their hospitals deteriorate as Steward's financial losses mounted. Some of the changes may be difficult for Holy Family's 1,400 workers, especially when it comes to employee benefits like health insurance. Many workers expect their health insurance will be much more expensive under Lawrence General.
Beth Israel Lahey Health, which operates a network of 14 Massachusetts hospitals, is laying off an unspecified number of employees. A spokesperson confirmed the layoffs were happening, but offered a statement that did not specify the number or location of impacted employees. "Like healthcare providers across the country, BILH is facing significant cost increases, a limited reimbursement environment and changing patient care trends. Despite these challenges, BILH remains committed to our mission of delivering high-quality care in the communities we serve," the spokesperson said. "At the local level, hospital leaders have identified opportunities to restructure staff roles, including eliminating some positions, to best meet local healthcare needs in a sustainable way. We continue to prioritize patient care and make investments that deliver on our commitment to community health."
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge is allowing more than 8,000 Catholic employers nationwide to reject government regulations that protect workers seeking abortions and fertility care. In a sharply worded order, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor, of Bismarck, North Dakota, granted a preliminary injunction Monday, ruling that the Catholic Benefits Association and the Diocese of Bismarck were likely to succeed in proving that a final rule adopted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in April violated their freedom of religion. The regulations are meant to enforce the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The judge also barred the EEOC from forcing the diocese and association to comply with harassment regulations meant to safeguard workers, writing "in a manner that would require them to speak or communicate in favor of abortion, fertility treatments, or gender transition when such is contrary to the Catholic faith." The ruling targeted transgender employees who would be restricted from expressing parts of their gender identities.