Issue 62
BREAKING NEWS
» What surgeon general? New surgeon general’s advisory raises alarm about screen time risks for kids and teens | CNN
» More evidence of sloppy (and illegal) RIF rollouts. HHS sends RIF notices to dozens of staff it missed during office-wide layoffs last year | Federal News Network
» “Maximum transparency.” HHS to start Schedule P/C conversions while withholding details on new RIFs | Government Executive
» Did you notice Cassidy got a little taste of something called “karma?” 4 takeaways from Tuesday's primary night in half a dozen states. Plus, this 2026 election calendar shows state-by-state election results | NPR
» An American has contracted Ebola. US says American contracted Ebola in Congo as CDC announces new travel screening measures | The Guardian
Welcome to the 62nd issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIF’d, chaotically reinstated, and current HHS staff. Read on for judicial and advocacy updates, links to media coverage, calls to action, tips, and resources.
Please consider supporting us by making a donation, grabbing some FBF merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), or signing up to volunteer. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read this and previous issues of the newsletter on the web.
LEGAL UPDATES
» We have confirmed that 87 HHS employees received RIF notices on Friday, May 15. If you received a RIF notice, Fired But Fighting is here to help. The legal update has links to information about RIF appeals, the MSPB, and a list of federal employment attorneys. If you received a RIF notice, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org so we can learn more about who has been affected and help plug you into resources.
» On the MSPB front, discovery is now open in multiple consolidations, and depositions of a handful of senior HHS officials will occur in the coming months. This also opens discovery on appellants, which has been consistent with RIF appeals for other agencies. If you filed a RIF appeal from one of these four agencies, please pay attention to your deadlines to respond to discovery requests. This week's legal update includes more details about the status of HHS RIF MSPB appeals, the consolidated MSPB appeal for fired probationary employees, the FY27 appropriations process, and the lawsuits challenging the HHS RIF.
» Fired but Fighting has a working group for HHS RIF pro se appellants. The group meets monthly to share information and work together to figure out how to file motions and manage discovery. There is also a shared library with resources that may be helpful for your appeal. Our next meeting is scheduled for June 9. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to us at legal@firedbutfighting.org.
NOTE: The FBF Legal Team is taking off the week of Memorial Day. The next legal update will be on June 3.
Read the full legal update here.
CALLS TO ACTION
» NPHC has a stubstack. You’re going to love it. Subscribe here: National PHC | Substack
» May 21 at 3:00 pm: 27 UNIHTED is hosting a town hall to discuss the results of a survey of probationary employees across 14 agencies. Register.
» Former CDC leaders are hosting a community conversation on current public health issues. May 27 at 7 PM ET at the Oakhurst Clubhouse in Decatur. Register here and share with your networks.
» Did you know FBF has a community calendar? Check it out for career development and other events. Have an event you want listed? Send a calendar invitation to info@firedbutfighting.org.
» Join the Region 2 Public Health Training Center for a Professional Development for the Public Health Workforce webinar on May 21 at 12 PM EST. This 2nd webinar of a 3-part series will focus on strategies to navigate change in the public health sector, changes in the job market, tips for advocacy for public health, how to deal with a workplace which may be changing daily, and how to navigate potential layoffs, budget cuts, and unexpected policy changes. Register here.
» ATTN Health Educators: Share Your Expertise at the 2026 SOPHE Advocacy Summit, October 17-19, 2026 in DC. Call for abstracts: due June 1.
» Volunteer with Fired But Fighting: Looking for ways to channel your rage? Sign up to volunteer.
EVENTS
» Don’t forget to keep an eye on FBF’s events page for updates between newsletters.
(Un) Happy Hour
» Lost Druid Brewery and Distillery on May 28th from 5 to 8 pm
UNION CORNER
» Beyond the Request: How to Strategically Secure and Defend Your Reasonable Accommodation
AFGE 2883 is bringing Davidra Bazemore-Blue, LCSW-C — known to many of you as @TheMogulSocialWorker — to lead an exclusive FREE training for our members and employees. It's open to everybody, but AFGE 2883 members will have registration priority.
📅 Register for May 21st, 7 pm - 8:30 pm: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dakPyvGSSWGbya6ZZWZiZw
💻 Virtual | 90 minutes each
❓ Live Q&A included. Bring your questions.
» If you have RA-specific questions or would like to help us support your colleagues in the disability community, please email us at ra@afge2883ga.org.
» If you’re not already a member, sign up to join the fight now. As a reminder, all job series (including supervisors) are eligible to join. The only exception is commissioned corps officers. https://join.afge.org/L2883
CDC MUTUAL AID
» Success Story Spotlight: Mike’s Journey
After losing his CDC position during the RIF while recovering from a kidney transplant, Mike faced overwhelming financial and emotional strain. Support from the CDC Mutual Aid Fund provided stability during his recovery and reminded him that hardship never diminishes a lifetime of service. Read his full story: https://www.cdcresourceportal.org/mutual-aid-fund/success-stories/a-legacy-of-service-and-strength-mikes-story
» Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Smash for a Cause Pickleball Social Benefit
Your energy, generosity, and good sportsmanship made the morning a true celebration of community. We’re especially grateful to Denise Koo for providing coaching to beginners and to ITP Training Academy for hosting and donating a portion of food and beverage sales. Together, you helped raise meaningful support for CDC Mutual Aid and the colleagues who rely on it during moments of hardship.
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on social media:
CAREER CORNER
» Check out this week’s Career Corner for upcoming events and resources. There are lots of events coming up including many job fairs, a great Pathways Forward webinar, and a brand new 🔥🔥 hot jobs 🔥🔥 section.
» Join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff and follow Fired But Fighting on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events.
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is America’s most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most popular story:
» “Louisiana Department of Health Reports Rare Case of Karma” - The Louisiana Department of Health worked swiftly to isolate a rare case of karma infecting a local man named Bill Cassidy, who first exhibited symptoms shortly after losing his re-election primary bid.
» Please consider becoming a subscriber by following the link here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» Last week, NPHC held two media training sessions to help public health professionals learn to confidently speak with reporters. This week’s spoon goes to the people who volunteered their time to be interviewed in front of colleagues.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» You and your puppy can relax and watch Dodo Dog TV, a YouTube channel streaming backyard wildlife footage.
» Check out these free events around Atlanta for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
» For the con lovers, Momocon is coming to Atlanta May, 21-24 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Check out the creators of Middle of Everything, an animated series teaching public health concepts to middle schoolers. Their session takes place Saturday, May 23, at 5:30 pm.
» Don’t forget about the Southern-Fried Gaming Expo, which is run by three NCEH Spoons, taking place from July 31 through August 2 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center and the Cobb Convention Center Atlanta.
FIRED BUT FIGHTING IN THE NEWS
» May 15: Summer Public-Health Maxxing; Ob/Gyns Celebrate PCOS Renaming; K for Bebe? | MedPage Today
» May 14: Public health isn’t giving up: What’s fueling hope for 2026 | The Nation’s Health Podcast
