Issue 80
BREAKING NEWS
» Nothing to see here, folks. Exclusive | RFK Jr.âs Enhanced Security Was Funded With Money From Minority Health Office | The Wall Street Journal
» This doesnât bode well for scientific progress. Trump asked budget chief to draft order bringing health research funding under his control | Politico
» Stand up, fight back. Save HIV Funding Leads Protest at USCHA Closing Plenary as New NIH Threat Emerges | Morrison Media Group (MMG)
» What about rock ân roll? CDCâs teen behavior report focuses on nutrition, downplays sex and drug use | NBC News
» At least itâs not at a daycareâŠoh, wait. 2nd possible measles exposure reported in Philadelphia at airport | ABC News
» âBut, sirâ đ CDC director says RFK Jr. has final say | The Hill
» Priorities, amiright? The EPA Would Rather Monitor Water for Abortion Pills than Pollution | Mother Jones
» đ€ Canât wait for next yearâs CDC AI Super Intelligence Day, yâall. Trump says AI will be renamed âsuper intelligenceâ in all US documents | The Hill
» So, itâs not just us? Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are battling the same exhausting health problem, CDC reveals | Fox 11
Welcome to the 80th issue of Fired But Fighting, a newsletter for illegally terminated, improperly RIFâd, 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 to the National Public Health Coalition, grabbing some merch (www.firedbutfighting.org/shop), signing up to volunteer, or subscribing to the NationalPHC Substack. You can also check out the FBF Talent Marketplace to support a fired fed.
Visit www.firedbutfighting.org/newsletter-library to read and share this and previous issues of the newsletter.
LEGAL UPDATES
The FBF Legal Team is taking off this week. You can read the most recent legal update here.
» Legally minded? No prior legal experience? No problem. Weâll support you as you learn. Sign up to volunteer with our Legal Team.
CALLS TO ACTION
» đą Protect your right to a fair process: Comment by MONDAY. đą The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced new proposed rules that would fundamentally change who decides whether a federal agency discriminated against its employees by giving the agency accused of discrimination greater control. (Sounds counter-intuitive, right? đ« ) The proposed changes include eliminating mandatory pre-complaint counseling, employeesâ automatic right to a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge, and the administrative class complaint process. These changes will weaken access to independent review, and force employees into expensive federal litigation. Learn more from Shaun Southworth and submit your comment by Monday, September 28.
» Be HEARD. Public Comment needed.
Keep Grant Review Transparent. Currently, NIH grant applications are assigned a numeric rating, which applicants use to compare their scores with other published awards and determine if they need to strengthen their applications. Under the proposed process, applications would be sorted into 3 broad categories, and the overall scores would not be released. These changes would reduce transparency and make it easier for applications to be denied for political, instead of scientific, reasons. Learn more about this issue and provide a comment by Tuesday, October 13.
The Census is in Trouble. Among other changes, this administration proposes removing race and ethnicity questions from the 2030 Census. Now is your time to exercise your rights and ensure your concerns are in the federal record. Learn more and comment here by Tuesday, October 13.
» Stay Safe this Election Season: A Hatch Act Primer - the Dos and Donâts of what you can do politically while a federal employee. (And we can ALL vote) https://www.afge.org/article/stay-safe-this-election-season-a-hatch-act-primer/
More info about the Hatch Act from the Office of Special Counsel: https://www.osc.gov/services/hatch-act/federal/
» Get ready to vote with some resources weâve compiled:
Everything You Need to Vote Check your registration status, view your ballot, find your polling place, and more.
Get text reminders so you never miss another election or polling site change by signing up at the nonpartisan TurboVote.
Sign up to be a poll observer and help ACLU Georgia and partners protect voters against intimidation and rights violations.
Have you ever considered serving as a poll worker? Did you know that this is one âside hustleâ that doesnât require EPATS (ethics) approval? Work Elections Project: Learn How to Become a Poll Worker.
Project HALO, a coalition of veterans, faith leaders, legal professionals, and community leaders, focuses on creating a welcoming, celebratory, nonpartisan presence around elections so every voter feels safe and respected at the polls. The Georgia chapter needs event organizers for upcoming elections. Organizers receive a small stipend. If interested, reach out to victoria.ayer@gmail.com.
EVENTS
Postcard-Writing (Un) Happy Hour
You know those people who stay home during the midterms? Letâs motivate them. Attend our upcoming (un) happy hour on October 1, from 5-8pm at Wild Heaven and pitch in to our postcard-writing campaign. Learn more at FBF Events.
Roybal Rally
CDC Alumni and Friends are hosting an SOS for Health rally on September 24, 5-6pm at 1600 Clifton Road. More information about the movement here.
FBF/NPHC Team AIDS Walk Atlanta
» LAST CHANCE TO JOIN US. Come walk with your fellow spoons. Register with the Fired But Fighting team for AIDS Walk Atlanta happening on September 26, at Piedmont Park.
Canât walk the Walk this year? You can still donate to the team effort.
» FedSupportâs Practical Systems Skills Speaker Series, âSystems Thinking for Real Federal Problemsâ on Thursday September 24, 12-1pm ET (virtual). Discusses practical, four-step framework for effectively working across and with multiple federal agencies.
» See an award-winning queer film Happy Together and support Georgia Asylum Immigration Network (GAIN). Wednesday, September 30, 7:30pm at Lore Atlanta. Learn more and buy your tickets here.
» Donât forget to keep an eye on FBFâs events page for updates between newsletters.
CAREER CORNER
» This weekâs issue of the Career Corner is packed as always and includes a refreshed đ„Hot Jobsđ„ section, a stacked slate of job fairs (several happening this week alone), a FedSupport webinar series, and some interesting articles.
» Donât forget to join the Opportunities for Former HHS Staff LinkedIn Group and follow NPHC on LinkedIn to stay current on career-related events. Want to contribute to Career Corner? Sign up to volunteer.
UNION CORNER
» RA Updates: A number of CDC employees who requested telework as a reasonable accommodation (RA) received a notice that their request has been administratively closed because they did not provide medical documentation. Some staff received this message even if they did submit documentation or if they were never assigned a Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator (RAC). If you receive this notice, save a copy and send a non-medical written response to HCA.ReasonableAccommodations@hhs.gov and your RAC (if you have one) to determine whether HHS considers your individual case active or closed. If an assigned RAC confirms that your case remains active, preserve that reply and verify the case details in writing. If you have no assigned RAC, request one and ask who currently owns the next action. Do not automatically resend unprotected medical records. The notice states no response period, so AFGE Local 2883 recommends responding as soon as possible, preferably within one business day. That timing is union guidance, not an HHS policy deadline.
» Union Members in Need: We are starting to highlight fellow union members in need of donations via the voluntary leave transfer program (VLTP). If you are able to donate annual leave hours, please consider doing so.
Kimberly Alexander (PHIC/DWD)
Komal Peer (NCEH/DEH)
If you are approved for VLTP and would like your name featured to receive leave donations, send your name and CDC user ID to info@afge2883ga.org.
» Join AFGE L2883 â If youâre 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
» Beware: A Spooky Surprise Ahead
Our Halloween collection is back, and itâs serving all the eerie vibes this season. If youâre looking for a way to show support and stay festive, this is the perfect time to grab your favorite piece. Weâve got something for everyone:
Want even more? Visit the CDC Mutual Aid Network Store: https://cdc-mutual-aid-network.printful.me/
» Be Part of the Message: Share Your CDC Mutual Aid Merch Moments
Help us reach new audiences and strengthen our CDC mutual aid fundraising. If you have photos of yourself wearing CDC Mutual Aid merch, please consider sharing them with us. To participate, simply email your photos to cdcmutualaidnetwork@gmail.com.
By emailing your photos, you agree to allow CDC Mutual Aid to use your submitted photo(s) for promotional and fundraising purposes. This may include social media, newsletters, merchandise promotion, and other outreach materials.
You donât have to show your face if you prefer not to
Please avoid including other people in the frame or background
Pets are absolutely welcome
Thank you for helping us amplify the mission and reach more people who care about community support â„ïž
» Follow CDC Mutual Aid Network on Social Media
THE WEEKLY NEEDLE
» The Weekly Needle is Americaâs most trusted news source for all things health and medicine. Enjoy our most recent story from this week:
» RFK Jr to Investigate Chemtrails to Find Out Who is Supposed to Lead Nationâs Health and Human Services. âThese chemtrails are the reason we have no leadership. When I have the chance, I am going to find out who the hell is supposed to lead Health and Human Services,â declared Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy.
» We all need more public health satire to survive - subscribe here. Interested in contributing? Email us at theweeklyneedle@proton.me.
FIRED AND THRIVING
» Ramu Kaladi is an aspiring political/policy entrepreneur who was born with a disability and has used a manual wheelchair since the age of two. Previously a CDC employee for 18 years, Ramu holds advanced degrees in Public Policy and Administration and is a career civil servant. Ramu strives to use his lived and learned experience to educate policymakers on issues of importance to the disability community.
Watch Ramu share about his business concept, personal mission statement, breakthrough story, and his next steps in business during pitch day for the Igniting Ideas Summer 2026 program. In addition to entrepreneurship, Ramu volunteers his time and expertise as a valued member of the FBF/NPHC volunteer legal team.
SPOON OF THE WEEK
» Turns out a lamp can be a spoon. This weekâs honorary spoon is a âdisobedientâ podium lamp that repeatedly fell and refused to work during RFK Jr.âs recent speech on childhood vaccines at the Childrenâs Health Defense conference. Watch the full clip here.
» To submit a spoon for a future newsletter, email info@firedbutfighting.org.
SELF CARE
» Visit the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) for a Dolly Parton-inspired Free Friday on September 25, 12-7pm
» Have you heard of the Front Yard Tree Program? Eligible Atlanta-area residents can have free canopy trees planted in their yards by Trees Atlanta, beginning in October 2026. Submit your request here.
» Dad Talks Through All Of Lifeâs Problems With His Dog... As He Should | The Dodo
» What Chimps Can Teach Us About Male Friendships | Greater Good
» Hey book lovers: Save the date for the Decatur Book Festival, happening October 2-3.
