The U.S. Department of Health plans to lay off 10,000 employees.

According to a statement from a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to lay off 10,000 full-time employees across various departments as he seeks to reshape the country's federal health agencies.

These layoffs come in addition to approximately 10,000 employees who have opted for voluntary departures since President Donald Trump took office. According to the Wall Street Journal, if the department implements the layoffs as planned, it would effectively reduce the federal health workforce by about a quarter, including voluntary exits. The Journal also reports that HHS will close five of its ten regional offices, although essential health services will remain unaffected.