The top US health agency, HHS, has announced a significant buyout offer of $25,000 to most of its employees as part of a strategy to reduce its workforce and mitigate expected layoffs. This offer includes nearly all federal health workers, including those from the CDC, and aims to address budgetary constraints affecting millions of Americans. In addition to the buyout, employees are also being given the opportunity to apply for early retirement, with a deadline for applications set for next week. This move is part of a broader trend among federal agencies, including the SEC and the Department of Education, which are similarly offering cash buyouts and early retirement packages to their employees.