health
'Often flying blind': Up to $246 million of taxpayer-funded CDC programs are largely unstaffed
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still has an Alzheimer’s disease program. Congress appropriated $41 million to it this year. There’s just no one staffing it.
TL;DR
- Numerous CDC programs, despite receiving millions in congressional appropriations, are largely unstaffed due to layoffs and freezes.
- These "zombie programs" include initiatives for Alzheimer's disease, smoking cessation, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease.
- Laid-off staffers are reportedly on paid administrative leave, unable to perform their duties while legal challenges proceed.
- Lawmakers and public health experts express concern that the lack of staff hinders the CDC's ability to address critical health threats and coordinate national efforts.
- While some specific cuts have been reversed, many remain, impacting the CDC's capacity for research, assessment, and setting national health frameworks.
- A new appropriations bill requires federal health agencies to maintain staffing for statutory responsibilities, but specific program staffing levels are not defined.