Musk's takeover of US health agencies raises pandemic threat, experts warn

Elon Musk's involvement in U.S. health agencies, particularly through the "Doge" program initiated by the Trump administration, has raised concerns among experts regarding pandemic preparedness. The program has gained access to sensitive systems within health agencies, including the CDC and HHS, amid significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees. Experts warn that this upheaval could severely limit the agencies' ability to respond to public health threats, such as the rising rates of bird flu. The layoffs, which include senior officials and critical personnel, are part of a broader effort to reduce government spending, despite ongoing health crises. Employees have reported being instructed to avoid discussing the Doge program due to fears of scrutiny. The potential for misuse of sensitive data and disruption of healthcare funding systems poses significant risks to public health and safety. Experts emphasize that the current situation undermines the integrity of health data management and could lead to detrimental outcomes for Americans reliant on federal health programs. The lack of oversight and the unprecedented access granted to Musk and his team have raised alarms about the future of healthcare support and the security of sensitive information.

- Musk's Doge program has accessed sensitive health agency systems, raising security concerns.

- Thousands of health agency employees have been laid off, impacting pandemic response capabilities.

- Experts warn that disruptions could threaten public health, especially amid rising bird flu cases.

- There are fears of misuse of sensitive data and healthcare funding systems.

- The situation highlights a lack of oversight and potential risks to healthcare support for Americans.