Sen. Lesser Statement on Federal Dept. of Health and Human Services Staffing Cuts

Today, State Senator Matt Lesser, Chair of the Human Services Committee, issued a statement on reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cut 10,000 full-time positions. These cuts come on top of 10,000 employees who have left voluntarily, shrinking the department’s workforce from 82,000 to 62,000.

“These layoffs are once again an assault by Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Medicaid, Medicare and our fragile public health system. These cuts come on top of a $160 million cut to Connecticut’s Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services earlier this week. Make no mistake, these attacks on public health are unlawful, against the express will of Congress and most importantly cut essential services to our most vulnerable residents. These cuts will increase cost while decreasing access to care, all while teeing up the federal government to issue massive tax cuts to billionaires. These cuts will directly impact Connecticut’s budget and our ability to successfully offer the Medicaid program in compliance with the law.”