HHS Committee Notes

Reduction in Force (RIF) and Reorganization

  • Status of RIF:

    • The RIFs are currently under litigation.
    • A court order prevents detailed discussion.

  • Path Forward if Injunction is Lifted:

    • Individuals subject to the injunction are on administrative leave and will remain so until the injunction is lifted.
    • Decisions will be made once the injunction is lifted.

  • Gaps in Duties and Staff Recall:

    • Gaps in ability to perform duties led to recalling staff.
    • Brought back 22 people to CDC.
    • Brought back 20 people to NIH.
    • Brought back 13 people to NIOSH for World Trade Center, Cleveland, and Morgantown offices due to critical work.

  • Nature of Terminated Positions:

    • Terminated individuals were primarily in administrative roles.
    • Addressing redundancies in the department.

  • Examples of Redundancies:

    • Nine separate offices for women's health.
    • Eight separate offices for minority health.
    • 41 chief information officers.
    • 1,400 external affairs staff.
    • 40 procurement departments using four different contracting systems.
    • Nine human resource departments.
    • Eight finance departments.
    • 40 separate opioid programs.
    • 42 maternal health programs.

  • RIF Intent:

    • Consolidate redundant administrative offices.
    • Those let go were not involved in primary care or delivery of care.
    • Aiming to return to pre-Biden era levels, reversing a 17% increase in administrative roles.

Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology (MCIT) and AI

  • MCIT Policy:

    • Trump administration finalized the Medicare coverage of an innovative technology rule.
    • Biden administration modified the rule, restricting access to breakthrough technology.

  • Potential Modifications:

    • CMS will modify the Biden administration’s policy.

  • Focus on AI and New Technologies:

    • HHS is heavily involved in integrating AI and new technologies into the health care system.
    • Using AI in various aspects of the health department.

  • Recruitment of Experts:

    • Recruiting top talent to revolutionize AI within the department.

  • Transformation Goals:

    • Aims to transform the American health system over the next four years using technology.
    • Goal is to make the American health system the leading health system in the world.