02.18.2025 / Statement

Families USA Statement on President Trump’s Mass Firing of Federal Workers Responsible for Running Our Nation’s Health Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, today released the following statement after reports that the Trump administration fired thousands of federal workers, including many who worked to support federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal health insurance marketplace that together provide health care coverage for more than 175 million Americans.

“These mass firings and funding freezes will affect communities across the country, and will have dire impacts on the health and health care for all Americans. The reckless and random actions of the Trump Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Management and Budget and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency are not good-faith efforts to improve programs, but rather a lawless wrecking crew aimed at devastating core programs and protections that millions of Americans need and depend on. Outside of defense, health care is the biggest thing the federal government does — whether taking care of seniors, veterans, children, or families, or supporting services in rural and urban communities, or conducting medical research or ensuring the safety of medications and devices. Some may wish to pretend this just hits faceless federal workers and contractors in Washington, but these actions create crises in communities across the country.

“If the Trump administration is serious about improving the efficiency of our institutions and government programs, Families USA stands ready to work with them and Congress on solutions that will save taxpayers money, promote efficiency, and improve the lives and health care of millions of Americans, but this is not it. A funding freeze and mass firings means it will be harder for Americans to get the care they need, to access the Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits they have worked for and earned, and will make it harder for the health care system that we all depend on to run efficiently and effectively to bring quality health care to more than 175 million Americans. We call on our representatives in Congress, the press and the public to demand answers from the Trump Administration about the impacts of these decisions that seem to dismantle health and other vital services that Americans rely on.”