Apr 01 Mass layoffs begin at HHS agencies responsible for research, tracking disease and regulating food By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press The cuts include researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff and senior leaders, leaving the federal government without many of the key experts who have long guided U.S. decisions on medical research, drug approvals and other issues. Continue reading
Mar 29 Watch 9:24 How new job cuts at the nation's leading health agency affect Americans By Ali Rogin, Kaisha Young, Zoie Lambert The FDA’s top vaccine official has resigned. On Friday, Dr. Peter Marks wrote that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.” That follows this week’s announcement that the Department of Health and Human… Continue watching
Mar 27 Health and Human Services to lay off 10,000 workers, close agencies in major restructuring By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press Public health experts warn a major overhaul and layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services could have untold consequences for millions of people across the country. Continue reading
Feb 04 WATCH: Senate committee votes to advance nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary By Amanda Seitz, Stephen Groves, Associated Press Kennedy critics have concerns about the work he's done to sow doubts around vaccine safety and his potential to profit off lawsuits over drugmakers. Continue reading
Jan 30 Watch 3:48 Republican senators express doubts about RFK Jr. in latest confirmation hearing By Lisa Desjardins, Ali Schmitz, Taylor Bowie In a make-or-break hearing, Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went before a second committee and it revealed Republican doubts about him. Lisa Desjardins reports on where lawmakers' support stands. Continue watching
Jan 30 WATCH: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies at Senate confirmation hearing for HHS secretary — Day 2 By Amanda Seitz, Stephen Groves, Associated Press Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to be the nation's top health official is uncertain after a key Republican joined Democrats to raise persistent concerns over the nominee's deep skepticism of routine childhood vaccinations that prevent deadly diseases. Continue reading
Jan 28 WATCH: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies at confirmation hearing for HHS secretary Kennedy's hearing Wednesday to be the nation's top health official quickly devolved into an argument over the questions he's raised for years about vaccine safety. Continue reading
Dec 18 Polls show Americans conflicted on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his health stances By Amanda Seitz, Linley Sanders, Associated Press New polling shows Republicans hold an overwhelmingly positive view of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and most approve of President-elect Donald Trump's decision to put Kennedy in the incoming administration. Continue reading
Dec 10 Watch 7:59 The controversial changes RFK Jr. could make to vaccine policy as HHS chief By William Brangham, Frank Carlson More than 75 Nobel laureates signed a letter asking the U.S. Senate not to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, citing his opposition to vaccines among their concerns. William Brangham takes a deeper look at… Continue watching
Dec 06 Watch 8:15 Examining the major changes RFK Jr. could make to federal food regulations By William Brangham, Frank Carlson President-elect Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has raised a number of questions in the public health community about Kennedy’s long history of opposing vaccines. It’s also put a spotlight… Continue watching