STAT+: What stripping civil service protections for thousands of federal workers will mean for HHS

STAT PlusPolitics What stripping civil service protections for thousands of federal workers will mean for HHS ‘Schedule F’ designation makes it easier to fire some grant reviewers, epidemiologists, and policy advisers Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Anil Oza, Chelsea Cirruzzo, and Lizzy LawrenceJune 5, 2026 Anil Oza[email protected]Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16.Chelsea Cirruzzo[email protected]Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42.Lizzy Lawrence[email protected]Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Thousands of Health and Human Services Department staff who shape policy, including on public health, federal health insurance programs, and health data privacy, have had their employment status changed to a designation that makes it easier for them to be fired, and thus makes them more vulnerable to political pressure from the White House. The reclassification of roughly 8,000 employees across the federal government, outlined in an executive order President Trump issued late Wednesday, also impacts some National Institutes of Health workers who oversee grant funding.Advertisement On the whole, health policy experts said, the shift toward a more politicized workforce is part of a broader goal of the Trump administration to shift power away from Congress and toward the executive branch. The policy, known as “Schedule F,” dates back to Trump’s first administration and would create a new class of federal employees that are not political appointees but could be fired at will. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In CDC, Donald Trump, FDA, HHS, NIH, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Anil Oza General Assignment Reporter Anil Oza is a general assignment reporter at STAT focused on the NIH and health equity. You can reach him on Signal at aniloza.16. Chelsea Cirruzzo Washington Correspondent Chelsea covers the Department of Health and Human Services with a particular focus on power and influence at the top. Confidential tips can be sent via Signal at chelseacirruzzo.42. Lizzy Lawrence FDA Reporter Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Politics June 5, 2026 Senior NIH official pushes MAHA strategy to skeptical ADA audience Special Report June 5, 2026 Tiny HHS office tasked with protecting research participants’ safety is running on fumes Advertisement Politics June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: Drug companies, patient groups urge FDA to pause commissioner’s voucher program D.C. Diagnosis June 4, 2026 STAT Plus: RFK Jr.’s second year: Vacancies, not vaccines Politics June 3, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump administration to strip job protections of top NIH officials, grants staff Subscriber Picks