The White House is working on an executive order to fire thousands of HHS workers, according to people familiar with the matter. Under the order, the FDA, CDC, and other health agencies would have to cut a certain percentage of employees. The order could come as soon as next week, people familiar with the matter said, after workers have an opportunity to take a buyout. The terms of the order haven't been finalized, however, and the White House could still decide against going forward with the plans. The job cuts under consideration would affect HHS, which employs more than 80,000 people and includes the NIH and CMS, in addition to the FDA and CDC. The White House on Thursday denied that there is an executive order related to HHS coming.
