CDC’s new director is pressed to do something about its zombie programs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently housing several "zombie programs"—initiatives that exist on paper with millions in funding but have no actual staff to execute the work. Despite Congress allocating $41 million for Alzheimer’s and $246 million for smoking cessation this year, the offices responsible for these efforts remain largely empty.

This operational paralysis follows a wave of layoffs initiated by the Trump administration in April 2025. While some staff remain on the payroll due to ongoing litigation, they are currently on administrative leave and barred from performing their duties, leaving critical public health sectors without senior leadership.

Inheriting a Ghost Agency

Newly appointed CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz stepped into her role last week, immediately facing heat from lawmakers. During her confirmation process, Senator Tim Kaine questioned whether she would follow federal law by restarting dormant activities that have already received congressional appropriations.

The vacuum of expertise is felt most in specialized units. Programs for epilepsy, sickle cell disease, and rape prevention are reportedly gutted. While grant money is still flowing to local governments, the national experts who provide the framework for these health strategies are gone.

Legislative Tension and Chronic Disease

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly stated that tackling chronic disease is his top priority, yet many of the programs currently lacking staff are focused on exactly those issues. Kennedy previously suggested he planned to hire 12,000 new workers, but union leaders claim very little hiring has actually occurred.

Democratic lawmakers argue that refusing to staff programs funded by Congress violates the 1974 Impoundment Control Act. Senator Tammy Baldwin accused the administration of putting politics ahead of health, noting that the current Republican-led Congress has shown little interest in enforcing these staffing mandates.

The Road Ahead for Schwartz

Advocacy groups warn that without the CDC’s internal experts, the country is "flying blind" regarding national health trends. The lack of coordination means that even when money reaches states, there is no centralized research to determine which programs are actually saving lives.

An HHS spokesperson stated that Dr. Schwartz is "determined to support and empower employees," but the agency has not yet clarified when, or if, the hundreds of empty positions within these critical health programs will be filled.