Restore Funding and Staff to Federal Health Agencies

I am deeply concerned about the alarming reductions in workforce and funding at our nation's critical health agencies, including the CDC, NIH, and FDA. These cuts pose a significant threat to public health and safety, and I urge you to take immediate action to investigate and rectify this situation. Recent reports indicate that thousands of scientists, physicians, and public health specialists have been lost from these agencies, contradicting official statements about the nature and extent of these reductions. The FDA alone has seen a 21% staff reduction, including the loss of over 400 inspection support workers. This severely compromises our ability to ensure the safety of our food and drug supply. The CDC has lost more than 1,050 experts, while the NIH has experienced a 16% workforce reduction. These cuts are not just numbers; they represent a dangerous erosion of our capacity to conduct vital disease research, administer research funding, and respond to public health crises. The consequences of these cuts are already apparent. We're seeing reduced inspections, stalled research, and delayed grant funding. This not only puts our immediate health at risk but also jeopardizes our long-term preparedness for future health challenges. I insist that Congress take swift action to investigate how the Department of Health and Human Services has allowed this situation to develop. It is crucial that we work to rebuild these agencies, restoring both funding and expertise. The ability of these agencies to fulfill their missions is fundamental to the health and safety of all Americans. We need food inspectors who can do their jobs effectively. We need regulators who can ensure the safety of our medicines. Firing these essential workers will not lead to safer food or drugs – it will only expose us to greater risks. I urge you to fight for our health and for unbiased science. Please initiate a thorough investigation into these workforce reductions and take concrete steps to restore the capacity of our federal health agencies. Our lives and well-being depend on your action.