Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as the hypothetical Health Secretary in March 2025, proposed a plan to reorganize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This plan involved merging the core functions of existing agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Kennedy stated that the goal was to streamline the department.
Status of AHA Formation
As of April 2026, AHA has not been established. Public information regarding its creation timeline or specific programs is limited. A June 2025 budget request indicated AHA would focus on primary care, environmental health, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, mental and behavioral health, and workforce development. However, Congress has not allocated funding for AHA, nor have meetings occurred with Kennedy's staff to secure support for the new agency.
Internal Planning and Employee Concerns
Current and former federal health agency employees described internal planning meetings by political appointees within HHS regarding AHA. These sources, who requested anonymity, reported demands for budget and staff information without clear identification of the requesters or their specific intentions. They also noted a lack of transparency with civil service staff about AHA's structure.
Dr. Karen Hacker, former director of CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, characterized the restructuring as a difficult, concurrent process. She stated that her team, despite working on areas aligned with AHA's priorities, was not consulted on strategies for reductions. Hacker retired after being placed on administrative leave during staff reductions.
Criticisms from Former HHS Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius, former Health Secretary under President Obama, expressed concerns about the process. She noted the absence of budget authority or a congressional framework for creating a new agency, and a perceived disregard for congressional intent during staff and program eliminations in April 2025. Sebelius highlighted that many reduced or eliminated entities, such as the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and several HHS regional offices, had specific congressional authorizations. She contrasted this with the consultative process used to establish the Administration for Community Living during her tenure. The Administration for Community Living is reportedly slated for integration into AHA.
Staffing Reductions and Uncertainty
The restructuring has led to significant personnel reductions at HHS. An official staffing plan from November 2024 showed 88,731 staff, while a September 2025 version indicated 79,717 employees, a 10% reduction. It is unclear if this figure includes staff whose firings were legally challenged or those on administrative leave. Agencies intended for AHA, particularly CDC and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), have experienced substantial reductions in force (RIFs).
Future Prospects
A current CDC official suggested that Kennedy's team might implement a pilot or initiative to demonstrate progress towards AHA's objectives, possibly by rebranding existing programs related to health prevention. This approach could allow them to claim success without securing new congressional funding or authorization for a full agency. Sebelius expressed skepticism about establishing a new agency without congressional funding and jurisdiction, stating that Congress will ultimately determine AHA's future.