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How a shutdown will impact health agencies and Social Security

By The Hill  
   October 02, 2025

Crucial health programs will continue to operate during the federal government shutdown, but many services will halt or be significantly less efficient as staffers are furloughed, based on contingency plans in place for HHS. The HHS states in its plan that it expects 32,460 employees to be furloughed during the shutdown, while retaining 79,717 employees. Roughly 15,000 retained employees will be kept on to perform activities required or implied to be necessary by law. Ultimately, the department estimates that 41% of its total staff will be furloughed. Agencies partially exempted from the shutdown include the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, NIH, CDC and FDA, though many of their activities will be suspended.  

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