NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, February 22, 2025— Fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) employees, Georgia lawmakers, supporters, and health advocates gathered at the Georgia State Capitol on Friday to address the consequences of recent CDC layoffs.
Led by State Rep. Saira Draper (D-Atlanta), the press conference focused on the termination of approximately 700 CDC employees, raising concerns over the future of public health in Georgia and nationwide.
“The so-called Department of Government Efficiency is firing federal workers indiscriminately,” she said. “They are gutting programs without considering their impact. Make no bones about it– the way this is taking place is unnecessarily cruel, unnecessarily chaotic, and unnecessarily reckless. Reject the notion that the tactics used by DOGE are about efficiency or about simply trimming the fat though that is in line the public is being sold. The facts show otherwise. There is nothing efficient about sending critical government agencies into a tailspin.”
“This is not just about job losses; this is about the security of our public health infrastructure,” Draper added. “Cutting hundreds of skilled professionals from the CDC in a time when we are still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is shortsighted and dangerous.”
Speakers included Dr. John Besser, a CDC lab expert; Dr Katrina Kretsinger, an infectious disease expert; and Dr. Carlos C. Del Rio, a Professor of Medicine at Emory University. They shared their concerns about the nation’s ability to respond effectively to future health crises. Many of those laid off worked in vital departments focusing on infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, and health equity programs, they said.
Dr. Laura Mitchell, an epidemiologist affected by the layoffs, warned of the long-term consequences. “We are losing decades of expertise in disease prevention and outbreak response. This will leave gaps in our ability to monitor and contain emerging health threats.”
Local leaders also highlighted the economic ripple effects of the layoffs, particularly in Atlanta, where the CDC is a major employer. “This decision impacts not just those who lost their jobs but also the families, communities, and local businesses that rely on CDC employees,” said State Sen. Michael Reynolds.
Health advocacy groups urged federal and state officials to reassess the budgetary decisions leading to the layoffs and called for stronger investments in public health programs.
“We cannot afford to weaken our public health system,” said Maria Torres, a representative from the Georgia Health Policy Center. “If we don’t act now, the next pandemic or public health crisis could be even more devastating.”
Draper concluded the press conference with a call to action, urging bipartisan support for legislation that protects public health funding and safeguards jobs in critical health sectors. “This is not a partisan issue; this is about ensuring the health and safety of every American.”
Cover photo courtesy: Rep. Saira Draper on X.
