How Will RFK’s Cuts At The CDC, FDA And NIH Affect You?

Forbes - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on Forbes

On February 19, 2025, researchers and concerned citizens gathered at the University of Illinois Chicago to protest the Trump administration's proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health agencies, which could result in the loss of 20,000 jobs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the cuts, set to take effect on March 27, would severely impact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and NIH. The leaked draft budget reveals a $40 billion reduction in funding, with significant consequences for medical research, public health programs, and state-level health initiatives. Key programs facing elimination include domestic HIV prevention, smoking reduction, and climate change research.

The implications of these cuts are profound, as they threaten the continuity of vital health initiatives and the development of new treatments. The administrative changes spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed head of HHS, reflect a shift in priorities away from mRNA vaccine research, with potential repercussions for public health response capabilities. The broader impact includes halting clinical trials, undermining research innovation, and risking a resurgence of preventable diseases. The upcoming Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on April 30, titled

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RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed account of proposed budget cuts to health agencies and their potential impacts on public health and research. While it effectively highlights the negative consequences of these cuts, it lacks balance by not including perspectives from those who support or justify the cuts. The reliance on unnamed sources and leaked documents affects the credibility and transparency of the information presented. Despite these limitations, the article addresses a timely and high-interest topic that has significant implications for public health. Improving the structure and providing more balanced perspectives would enhance the overall quality and impact of the story.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story provides detailed information on the proposed budget cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, including specific figures and impacts on various agencies such as the NIH, CDC, and FDA. However, some claims require further verification, such as the exact number of job cuts and the specifics of the budget figures. The story mentions a $40 billion cut to HHS and significant reductions to NIH and CDC funding, but these figures need corroboration. The claim about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s influence on mRNA vaccine funding also requires verification. While the story presents a plausible scenario of budget cuts affecting public health programs, the lack of direct citations or official statements weakens its factual accuracy.

5
Balance

The story predominantly presents a critical perspective on the budget cuts and their potential impacts on public health and research. It highlights the negative consequences of these cuts, such as the loss of jobs and the potential discontinuation of important health programs. However, it lacks a balanced representation of viewpoints, as it does not provide perspectives from government officials or supporters of the budget cuts. The absence of counterarguments or justifications for the cuts creates an imbalance in the narrative. Including perspectives from those who support the cuts or believe in their necessity for efficiency would enhance the balance.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the potential impacts of the budget cuts on public health programs and research. It uses straightforward language and provides specific examples of affected programs and departments. However, the narrative could be better structured to enhance comprehension, as it jumps between different topics and lacks a cohesive flow. Organizing the information more logically and providing clear transitions between sections would improve the overall clarity and readability.

4
Source quality

The story relies heavily on unnamed sources and leaked draft budgets, which can undermine the credibility and reliability of the information presented. While it references outlets like the Washington Post and Politico for the leaked budget, it does not provide direct quotes or official statements from these sources. The article also mentions journalist Marisa Kabas and other experts but lacks detailed attribution or evidence of their expertise. The reliance on potentially biased or unverified sources affects the overall authority and impartiality of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the methodology behind its claims and the sources of its information. While it mentions leaked drafts and unnamed officials, it does not provide clear evidence or direct links to these documents. The story could benefit from more explicit disclosure of its information-gathering process and any potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, providing more context about the budget cuts and the decision-making process behind them would improve transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.ajmc.com/view/robert-f-kennedy-jr-faces-senate-inquiry-over-deep-cuts-to-hhs-impacting-fda-cdc-nih-cms
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nih-rfk-jr-cuts-science-funding/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-03-27/la-me-rfk-health-cuts
  4. https://www.axios.com/2025/03/27/rfk-hhs-job-cuts-fda-cdc-nih-trump
  5. https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r798