Trump Administration Layoffs Decimate NIH Cancer Hotline Services

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is facing a significant reduction in workforce as the Trump administration enforces a second round of layoffs, impacting approximately 200 employees, including 50 at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). These layoffs are part of a broader effort to balance recent rehires and adhere to aggressive job cut targets within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

This workforce reduction has led to the closure of essential public-facing services, most notably the National Cancer Hotline operated by the NCI's Office of Communications and Public Liaison. Established in 1975, the hotline has been a critical resource providing cancer patients, families, and healthcare providers with timely information, support services, and access to clinical trials. It also offers counseling to help individuals quit smoking, a major cancer risk factor.

The layoffs contradict earlier assurances from NIH leadership that no further job cuts would occur, leaving many employees feeling blindsided. The administration's approach has been marked by confusion, with some staff being rehired after initial termination notices, only to be replaced again to meet mandated layoff quotas.

These cuts are part of a larger pattern under the Trump administration, which has overseen the loss of approximately 10,000 jobs at HHS since early 2025, including 1,200 at the NIH. The White House has proposed a 40% reduction in NIH funding and plans to restructure or eliminate many of its divisions. These measures pose a serious threat to the United States' leadership in scientific research and public health.

The consequences extend beyond job losses. The dismantling of communication channels like the National Cancer Hotline undermines public access to crucial health information and support. This erosion of infrastructure could lead to diminished patient outcomes and reduced public trust in government health agencies.

Moreover, these developments have international implications. The European Union recently announced a $555 million initiative to attract U.S.-based scientists, citing the Trump administration's hostile stance toward government-led science as a motivating factor. This brain drain threatens to weaken American innovation and scientific competitiveness on the global stage.

In summary, the Trump administration's aggressive layoffs and funding cuts at the NIH are dismantling vital public health services and jeopardizing the future of American scientific research. The closure of the National Cancer Hotline exemplifies the tangible harm these policies inflict on patients and the broader community.