Senate Confirms RFK Jr. as Health Secretary

The US Senate Confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services

The United States Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), giving him authority over the nation’s top health agencies.

Senate Confirms Kennedy with a 52-48 Vote

Senators confirmed Kennedy to the role with a 52-48 vote. Senator Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation.

McConnell’s Opposition

McConnell, who survived polio as a child, said that his experience informed his staunch opposition to Kennedy, who is connected to efforts to revoke the polio vaccine. "I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles," McConnell said in a statement.

What This Means for You

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now leading the HHS, overseeing key agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His focus on chronic health issues and food safety may reshape future health policies. However, his decades-long involvement in spreading vaccine misinformation has raised concerns among public health experts.

The Concerns

Several major health organizations have raised concerns about Kennedy’s role in overseeing vaccine safety programs and his history of promoting potentially unsafe products, such as raw milk and unproven COVID-19 "cures."

The American Public Health Association (APHA) expressed disappointment

"It is our hope that RFK Jr. stands on what he promised during his testimony and prioritizes making America healthier, rather than sowing distrust. More energy should be spent on developing evidence-based solutions to address our most pressing health issues, instead of discrediting proven methods that save lives," APHA told Verywell in a statement.

Kennedy’s Background

Kennedy is at the helm of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which won him populist support and was adopted by President Donald Trump’s followers. MAHA advocates for reducing the role of corporate influence in health and environmental regulation, saying that the food and pharmaceutical industries are exposing Americans to toxins and driving a "chronic disease epidemic."

What’s Next for HHS?

Kennedy takes the reins of HHS as the department is grappling with questions about the future of Medicaid. He will be tasked with protecting Americans from emerging infectious diseases, such as the H5N1 bird flu, and enforcing federal policies about abortion care access. He also enters the job with the intention of regulating the food and pharmaceutical industries under an administration that has already taken drastic steps to reduce government oversight over corporations.

FAQs

Q: What is the role of the Secretary of Health and Human Services?
A: The Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for overseeing the nation’s top health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health.

Q: What are the concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?
A: Several major health organizations have raised concerns about Kennedy’s role in overseeing vaccine safety programs and his history of promoting potentially unsafe products, such as raw milk and unproven COVID-19 "cures."

Q: What is the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement?
A: MAHA is a movement led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that advocates for reducing the role of corporate influence in health and environmental regulation, saying that the food and pharmaceutical industries are exposing Americans to toxins and driving a "chronic disease epidemic."