- Home
- Advocacy
- Latest News and Practice Data
- Executive Orders and Actions Update
The Trump Administration began mass layoffs across several federal departments and agencies, affecting employees in 1-2-year probationary status (including senior staff in new positions/supervisory roles). The following agencies, relevant to the CAP policy activities, were initially impacted, including approximately 700 staff at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 750 staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), around 1200 National Institutes of Health (NIH) employees, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
Some of the FDA programs affected have an impact on the CAP’s policy priorities, including the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH – especially staff involved in review of laboratory-developed tests and artificial intelligence products). At CMS, the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (charged with implementing the No Surprises Act, which the CAP supports) was also dramatically affected. The CAP covered these priority areas in its letter to the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Additionally, President Trump issued several new Executive Orders (EOs), including EOs “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies," "Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending," "Establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission," and "Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization."
The CAP will continue to monitor the evolving landscape and how it will impact health care and our advocacy efforts. As of this update, news reports have stated some federal employees (including FDA) are being rehired.
While we continue to monitor these evolving changes, we want to hear from you! CAP members are encouraged to share how the changing political landscape is impacting their work and how the CAP can be a resource. Email your experiences to stories@cap.org.