President-elect Trump has tapped anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to move the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS).
HHS has a price range of almost $2 trillion and administers federal well being packages together with Medicare, Medicaid and the Reasonably priced Care Act. HHS and its subagencies are answerable for responding to illnesses and public well being threats like COVID-19 and chicken flu, in addition to approving new medication, together with vaccines.
HHS oversees 13 separate companies, and Kennedy has lengthy argued they’re all in determined want of reform.
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Trump posted on social media Thursday afternoon. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.”
“Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” the president-elect added.
Politico first reported the information.
The place requires Senate affirmation. Whereas it may very well be tough, the nomination is an indication Trump feels empowered by the comfy Republican majority within the higher chamber.
Trump has additionally raised the prospect of sidestepping the affirmation course of with recess appointments.
Kennedy brings a deep skepticism of pharmaceutical corporations and the federal companies overseeing them. However now he may quickly be in control of those self same companies as he pursues his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
“RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) stated in an announcement. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”
Cassidy will lead the Senate Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pensions committee subsequent session. The HELP Committee has jurisdiction over most well being nominees, however the Senate Finance Committee confirms the HHS Secretary.
The transfer roiled Democrats and public well being leaders, who fear Kennedy may meddle with key authorities companies, amplify vaccine hesitancy and direct company funding to favor his most popular views.
Kennedy based one of the distinguished anti-vaccine teams within the nation and has promoted the debunked declare that childhood vaccines trigger autism. Kennedy stated in latest interviews he doesn’t wish to take away any authorised vaccines, however he claims that well being companies haven’t executed sufficient analysis on them.
The nomination is a reward for Kennedy, who ran first as a Democrat within the presidential race earlier than switching to an unbiased, after which dropping out and throwing his assist behind Trump. It’s additionally an acknowledgement that Kennedy’s huge guess on Trump paid off considerably.
Kennedy has stated federal well being regulators are “sock puppets” held captive by business particular pursuits. Kennedy vowed to purge complete departments on the Meals and Drug Administration to root out corruption.
Kennedy has most not too long ago claimed he desires to remove fluoride within the nation’s consuming water provide, regarding well being officers who think about including the mineral chemical a serious development to preserving tooth.
Within the closing days of the marketing campaign, Trump stated he would let Kennedy “go wild” on the federal government’s well being care programs.
“He’s going to help make America healthy again. … He wants to do some things, and we’re going to let him get to it,” Trump stated in a victory speech at Mar-a-Lago after the election.
Up to date: 5:22 p.m.
