In a chaotic week marked by significant layoffs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the termination of 10,000 jobs in a sweeping restructuring effort. This move, spearheaded by RFK Jr., has drawn criticism from lawmakers and health experts alike, who warn that these cuts threaten vital health services and could lead to a public health crisis as important programs are dismantled. Reports indicate that former staff members were notified of their job losses in humiliating ways, with many learning they were terminated when their ID badges ceased to function. Despite claims that some layoffs could be reversed, the impacts of these mass firings have already begun to ripple through the healthcare system, affecting research, disease control, and services like Meals on Wheels. Experts are cautioning that these deep cuts at agencies like the FDA and CDC could leave Americans more vulnerable to health risks, while RFK Jr. has faced backlash for suggesting that layoffs were necessary due to declining health outcomes in the nation. The ongoing turmoil at HHS reflects a dramatic shift in U.S. health policy, with consequences that could resonate for years to come.