Atlanta‑based CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz stepped into her role last week with a daunting backlog: multiple federally funded health programs exist on paper but have no personnel to carry out their missions. The situation, described by officials as “zombie programs,” includes an Alzheimer’s disease initiative, the Office on Smoking and Health, an epilepsy tracking effort, a sickle‑cell data collection unit, a rape‑prevention office and others.
Congressional funding without staff
In the 2025 fiscal year, Congress appropriated $41 million for Alzheimer’s surveillance, $246 million for smoking‑related health work, and additional millions for epilepsy, sickle‑cell disease, overdose prevention in tribal communities, maternal health data, and drowning prevention. Yet the CDC’s own workforce was dramatically reduced after the Trump administration issued layoff notices to thousands of federal health employees in April 2025. Those cuts were part of a broader effort to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services under a proposed sub‑agency called the Administration for a Healthy America, a plan that has stalled amid congressional pushback.
Because many of the laid‑off scientists, doctors and support staff were placed on paid administrative leave, the programs remain funded but effectively inoperative. While most CDC grant money continues to flow to state and local partners, the central coordination, research and evaluation functions are missing.
Senators demand action
During Dr. Schwartz’s confirmation hearing, Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine asked whether she would “follow the law” and activate the Office on Smoking and Health, which Congress has explicitly funded. “I will always follow the law,” Schwartz replied.
Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin criticized the Trump administration for prioritizing politics over public health and noted that recent legislation now requires federal health agencies to maintain staffing levels sufficient to fulfill statutory duties, though it does not prescribe exact headcounts.
Georgia Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff, whose state hosts the CDC, said he will watch closely to see if the new director restores the programs that Congress funded.
Impact on public health work
Advocacy groups warn that the lack of seasoned experts hampers the nation’s ability to monitor disease trends, evaluate program effectiveness and coordinate responses to emerging health threats. Erika Sward of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s described the situation as “flying blind, without a parachute.”
Some previously cut programs have been partially reinstated. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health saw its reductions rescinded, and certain laboratory staff for sexually transmitted disease testing and lead‑poisoning control have returned. Nevertheless, many positions remain vacant, and legal challenges continue to determine whether staff placed on leave can be reassigned.
Future hiring plans
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to hire 12,000 workers for federal health agencies, emphasizing chronic disease prevention as a priority. It is unclear how many of those hires will be assigned to the CDC or how quickly the “zombie” programs will be staffed.
AFGE Local 2883 President Yolanda Jacobs said the union has seen little substantive hiring at the CDC and that many former employees on leave have not been given priority for open positions.
What remains to be done
The CDC’s budget continues to flow to state and local partners, but without central expertise the agency cannot fully assess the effectiveness of grant‑funded projects or set national standards. Lawmakers and public‑health advocates are urging Dr. Schwartz to use the appropriated funds to rebuild the core staff needed for these statutory programs.
As the new director settles into her role, the nation’s public‑health infrastructure hangs in the balance, awaiting concrete steps to bring the under‑staffed programs back to life.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
