FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Doctors for America
PO Box: 21161
2300 18th St NW Lbby
Washington, DC 20009-9996
October 15, 2025
Doctors for America Denounces the October 10th Firing of CDC Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Doctors for America emphatically denounces the October 10th, 2025 firing of CDC scientists and experts who are essential to the surveillance and dissemination of disease information in our Nation. The ongoing decimation of our Nation’s public health infrastructure and loss of critical scientific expertise related to chronic diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, injury prevention, biosecurity, and the dissemination of public health information, puts the health and safety of all Americans at risk.
Among the reported initial firings were experts in measles and Ebola, the staff of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers, among many others. While it has been reported that some of these firings were in error and have been reversed, this is only the latest incident in a pattern of chaotic mass firings across HHS since the beginning of the year that have repeatedly compromised our Nation’s safety, security, and public health preparedness. This ongoing weakening of our Nation’s preparedness puts the lives of every American at risk.
Doctors for America urges Congress to stand up for public health and keep experts in government public health roles, by:
- Demanding accountability and transparency from HHS regarding restructuring plans, reductions in force (RIFs), and rehirings over the past 9 months;
- Requiring the rehiring of all staff terminated during the 10/10/25 mass-firings; and,
- Passing a fully-funded, full year appropriations bill that preserves public health funding without cuts to services, programs, or research.
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About Doctors for America:
Doctors for America (DFA) is a national movement of over 40,000 physicians and medical students across all 50 states and every specialty who are committed to putting patients over politics. We mobilize and train clinicians to be effective advocates, equipping them with the skills to influence policy and lead change at both state and federal levels. Our work focuses on three core areas: expanding access to affordable care, strengthening community health and prevention, and advancing health justice and equity. Unlike many organizations, DFA does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies, insurers, or for-profit healthcare corporations—ensuring that our voice remains independent, trusted, and grounded solely in what is best for patients. By uniting the trusted voices of doctors and medical trainees, DFA drives policy change, defends evidence-based care, and works to improve the health of our patients, communities, and nation. Find out more at doctorsforamerica.org and on Twitter drsforamerica or Bluesky drsforamerica.bsky.social.