Latest news with #CommencingtheReductionoftheFederalBureaucracy
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump nixes CDC infectious disease advisory committee: Report
The Trump administration nixed the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), ending three decades of medical advice used by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) according to NBC. A handful of committee members said the CDC delivered the news about HICPAC's termination to members Friday, per the outlet. The termination took effect more than a month previously, on March 31, according to a letter reviewed by NBC. HICPAC has made 540 recommendations for infectious disease control and 90 percent of their suggested measures were fully implemented by the CDC, according to NBC's reporting. The committee provided best practices for preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. They shared guidelines on disinfection and sterilization, environmental infection control and hand hygiene in healthcare settings, among other areas of concern. One fellow at the Infectious Diseases Society of America who joined HICPAC in January, said the committee was close to finalizing new guidelines for airborne pathogens before the termination, according to the outlet. Government pages related to HICPAC have now been archived and will no longer be updated with new information. Officials said HICPAC's termination falls in line with President Trump's February executive order entitled, 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,' which seeks to slim the federal workforce. However, the agency was not explicitly listed in the order, although five advisory committees were named in the memo, outlining a set timeline for them to be shut down. The CDC did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment on the matter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Hill
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Trump nixes CDC infectious disease advisory committee: Report
The Trump administration nixed the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), ending three decades of medical advice used by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) according to NBC. A handful of committee members said the CDC delivered the news about HICPAC's termination to members Friday, per the outlet. The termination took effect more than a month previously, on March 31, according to a letter reviewed by NBC. HICPAC has made 540 recommendations for infectious disease control and 90 percent of their suggested measures were fully implemented by the CDC, according to NBC's reporting. The committee provided best practices for preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. They shared guidelines on disinfection and sterilization, environmental infection control and hand hygiene in healthcare settings, among other areas of concern. One fellow at the Infectious Diseases Society of America who joined HICPAC in January, said the committee was close to finalizing new guidelines for airborne pathogens before the termination, according to the outlet. Government pages related to HICPAC have now been archived and will no longer be updated with new information. Officials said HICPAC's termination falls in line with President Trump's February executive order entitled, ' Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,' which seeks to slim the federal workforce. However, the agency was not explicitly listed in the order, although five advisory committees were named in the memo, outlining a set timeline for them to be shut down. The CDC did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment on the matter.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CDC advisory committees not mandated by law at risk of being terminated
The Department of Health and Human Services is 'recommending termination' of CDC's discretionary advisory committees, according to an email seen by POLITICO. The email, sent to CDC leaders today, said the agency would need to justify keeping the advisory committees by 10 tonight. However, a second, follow-up email said that 'no response is required at this time.' The advisory committees offer the CDC guidance from outside experts on an array of subjects — including HIV prevention and mitigating emerging infectious diseases, like the avian flu — on which the agency makes recommendations. 'Absent an adequate response, these FACAs are scheduled to be terminated,' the first email reads, using the acronym for the committees. It's unclear whether the second email means HHS is no longer planning to terminate the committees right away, or whether HHS will terminate them regardless of the CDC's response. A spokesperson for the CDC declined to comment. An HHS spokesperson told POLITICO 'HHS is complying with President [Donald] Trump's EO on the reduction of the federal bureaucracy.' The first email said the move is pursuant to Trump's executive order 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.' The email also said CDC must explain why the committees are essential to the conduct of agency business and in the public interest, state why the committees functions can't be performed by other means, and confirm that the agency head has approved the creation or continuation of the committees. The email lists nine CDC committees at risk: — The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee — CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment — Board of Scientific Counselors, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — Board of Scientific Counselors Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases — Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee — Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel — The Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Health Statistics — Safety and Occupational Health Study Section — The Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response.
Politico
21-03-2025
- Health
- Politico
CDC advisory committees not mandated by law at risk of being terminated
The Department of Health and Human Services is 'recommending termination' of CDC's discretionary advisory committees, according to an email seen by POLITICO. The email, sent to CDC leaders today, said the agency would need to justify keeping the advisory committees by 10 tonight. However, a second, follow-up email said that 'no response is required at this time.' The advisory committees offer the CDC guidance from outside experts on an array of subjects — including HIV prevention and mitigating emerging infectious diseases, like the avian flu — on which the agency makes recommendations. 'Absent an adequate response, these FACAs are scheduled to be terminated,' the first email reads, using the acronym for the committees. It's unclear whether the second email means HHS is no longer planning to terminate the committees right away, or whether HHS will terminate them regardless of the CDC's response. A spokesperson for the CDC declined to comment. An HHS spokesperson told POLITICO 'HHS is complying with President [Donald] Trump's EO on the reduction of the federal bureaucracy.' The first email said the move is pursuant to Trump's executive order 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy.' The email also said CDC must explain why the committees are essential to the conduct of agency business and in the public interest, state why the committees functions can't be performed by other means, and confirm that the agency head has approved the creation or continuation of the committees. The email lists nine CDC committees at risk: — The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee — CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment — Board of Scientific Counselors, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — Board of Scientific Counselors Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases — Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee — Disease, Disability, and Injury Prevention and Control Special Emphasis Panel — The Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Health Statistics — Safety and Occupational Health Study Section — The Board of Scientific Counselors, Center for Preparedness and Response.
The Hill
28-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Social Security notifies employees of ‘significant workforce reductions'
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is notifying employees of 'significant workforce reductions' on the way as it prepares for what it describes as an 'agency-wide organizational restructuring' amid reports that thousands of workers could be let go. The agency said this week that offices that perform functions that aren't 'mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing.' 'The agency may reassign employees from non-mission critical positions to mission critical direct service positions (e.g., field offices, teleservice centers, processing centers),' SSA said. 'Reassignments may be involuntary and may require retraining for new workloads.' A source also told NewsNation that the agency is planning to remove more than 100 employees focused on civil rights and equal opportunity. In notices to the employees, Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek told staff that they would be placed on administrative leave as a 'notice of proposed removal.' 'This notice is a proposal and not a decision. You will be notified of my decision in writing,' the notice read. 'From the date that you receive this notice of proposed removal to the date of the decision is a notice period. You will be placed on administrative leave effective immediately until a final decision is made and implemented. My decision letter will provide you with the effective date of your removal.' 'You have the right to respond to this notice of proposed suspension orally, in writing, or both. You must make your response within twenty-five (25) days of the date that you receive this notice,' the notice continued. This notice also stated that the proposal 'is for cause and will promote the efficiency of the federal service in accordance' with President Trump's 'Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy' executive order issued earlier this month. The Hill has reached out to the SSA for further comment. Roughly 20,000 probationary federal employees have been axed in recent weeks as the Trump administration ramps up firings. That covers new hires and employees who were newly promoted. Among the list of agencies where employees have been targeted are the departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, Interior and Education. Democrats have also sounded the alarm over reports the SSA is planning to layoff thousands of staff. The Associated Press reported earlier this week, citing sources familiar, that the SSA was planning to let go of a minimum of 7,000 workers, or roughly 12 percent of its workforce. Democrats have already been sounding alarm over the reports, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) warning ahead of a Mar. 14 shutdown deadline that 'any bipartisan spending agreement has to protect the administration of these earned benefits.' In its recent message to employees, the agency also said it's offering 'voluntary separation incentives' to workers, including options for 'voluntary early retirement' or 'incentive payments' for eligible employees. The notice comes after a senior Trump administration official said earlier this month that upwards of 70,000 federal employees have taken its buyout offers, even as the White House is battling efforts to counter the president's orders tangled up in the courts.
