As the federal government prepared for a shutdown on September 30, employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked to distribute grant funding for 38 new state and local cancer prevention programs. However, before they could help states launch these initiatives, many CDC staff were furloughed due to the shutdown.
“We were going to have our kickoff call (with the 38 recipients) October 2,” said Teri Larkins, one of the furloughed CDC workers. She described her office as having “two people in place of what should be about 35.”
Larkins and other furloughed employees spoke at a public roundtable event following the furloughs. They clarified that their comments reflected their personal views and not those of the CDC.
The shutdown resulted in approximately two-thirds of the Atlanta-based CDC’s workforce being placed on leave, with no immediate resolution expected. Including its smaller sister agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an estimated 8,700 workers were furloughed. Some had already been in the process of being laid off prior to the shutdown.
Federal officials stated that about 4,900 remaining staff would continue responding to urgent disease outbreaks. However, workers highlighted that many divisions essential to public health have already been significantly reduced due to previous layoffs and mass firings from efforts led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Some remaining employees reported feeling overwhelmed by increased workloads but recognized that critical work was left unfinished during the shutdown period.
Tamekia Evans, another employee affected by the situation, commented: “I feel like we’re being used as a pawn” in political disputes over federal funding. She added: “My oath of office is to serve the health of the public,” expressing concern that ongoing cuts could harm public health.
The roundtable was organized by Sen. Jason Esteves, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor. The event took place amid ongoing partisan disagreements over responsibility for the shutdown.
A White House press release issued on the day of the roundtable stated: “All 50 States Will See Devastating Economic Hit in Democrat Shutdown.” Meanwhile, a Democratic Governors’ Association statement said: “GOP Shutdown … Raises Health Care Costs for Georgians.”
A major point of contention remains Republican opposition to extending enhanced subsidies that keep Affordable Care Act premiums affordable for millions. These subsidies are set to expire December 31; if not renewed alongside other proposed changes, roughly 460,000 Georgians may lose their insurance coverage and become uninsured.
Democrats have withheld support for budget legislation until these subsidies are extended.
Other current and former CDC employees at the event expressed frustration about lost experience within public health as many scientists retired or sought new employment due to uncertainty and instability at federal agencies.
Evans described trying to manage risks without clear direction from leadership while working at CDC risk management. She has also been preparing to address risks associated with artificial intelligence at the agency. Evans noted she was instructed to return to office despite accommodations allowing remote work due to health reasons.
Reflecting on recent events, Evans said: “It’s been the tipping point for her to speak up, after months of staying quiet.”
