Since being appointed by President Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made plenty of unprecedented selections whereas operating the Division of Well being and Human Providers. Certainly, America’s latest well being czar has largely thrown out all frequent knowledge in the case of stuff like vaccines and whether or not you want a medical background to run the CDC.
Kennedy has rolled out numerous weird and dangerous insurance policies on the HHS over the previous yr, together with assaults on the agency’s vaccine program. Earlier this yr, underneath his supervision, the company fired 1000’s of workers. Extra not too long ago, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention noticed many distinguished staffers (together with its director) step down in protest of Kennedy’s insurance policies.
Because of RFK Jr.’s weird conduct and coverage selections, a lot of well being professionals have publicly criticized him and known as into query the legitimacy of his management. The newest voices to precise concern are six former U.S. Surgeons Basic, who penned an op-ed revealed within the Washington Publish on Tuesday. The article warns that Kennedy’s insurance policies pose a “profound, quick and unprecedented menace” to the nation, and that the HHS head is placing in danger. The letter reads:
Over latest months, we’ve got watched with rising alarm because the foundations of our nation’s public well being system have been undermined. Science and experience have taken a again seat to ideology and misinformation. Morale has plummeted in our well being businesses, and expertise is fleeing at a time once we face rising threats — from resurgent infectious ailments to worsening persistent diseases.
The letter continues:
Repairing this harm requires a frontrunner who respects scientific integrity and transparency, listens to specialists and may restore belief to the federal well being equipment. As a substitute, Kennedy has change into a driving pressure behind this disaster.
The letter stresses the bipartisan nature of the signees, noting that they signify a bunch of execs “appointed by each Republican and Democratic president since George H.W. Bush.” The signees embrace Jerome Adams, Richard Carmon, Joycelyn Elders, Vivek Murthy, Antonia Novello, and David Satcher. Murthy served underneath each Biden and Trump throughout his first time period.
The previous well being leaders level particularly to Kennedy’s assaults on vaccine science as a transparent and current signal that he’s not match to steer the company tasked with regulating vaccines. The letter notes:
This yr, as the USA confronted its worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years, Kennedy de-emphasized vaccination and directed company sources towards unproven vitamin therapies. The outcome: months-long outbreak, three preventable deaths and the primary measles-related youngster loss of life within the U.S. in over twenty years.
Extra not too long ago, Kennedy eliminated each member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, changing its scientific specialists with people who usually lacked primary {qualifications}, a few of whom are vaccine conspiracy theorists. The brand new committee has already begun casting doubt on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, regardless of many years of information affirming its effectiveness and powerful security profile.
The previous well being leaders will not be alone. Over the previous yr, quite a lot of organizations have argued that Kennedy must be fired. Most not too long ago, two separate psychiatric organizations said that RFK Jr. was unfit to serve, arguing that his decision to gut the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Administration had put lives in danger. Final month, over a thousand HHS staffers signed a letter to President Trump that said that Kennedy had endangered “the nation’s well being” and must be fired or compelled to resign. Across the similar time, 61 completely different well being and advocacy organizations signed a separate letter equally asking that Kennedy be let go. Earlier this yr, 9 former administrators of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention asked that Kennedy be fired, noting that Kennedy’s actions “ought to alarm each American, no matter political leanings.” Gizmodo reached out to the HHS for remark.
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