Apr 08 A look at the benefits and potential problems of water fluoridation as it's under attack By Mike Stobbe, Kasturi Pananjady, Associated Press U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he wants communities to stop fluoridating water, and he is setting the gears of government in motion to help make that happen. Continue reading
Apr 08 RFK Jr. will tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water By Hannah Schoenbaum, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Health Secretary Robert Kennedy cannot order communities to stop fluoridation, but he can direct the CDC to stop recommending it and work with the EPA to change the allowed amount. Continue reading
Apr 06 RFK Jr. visits epicenter of Texas measles outbreak after second child who was infected dies By Devi Shastri, Amanda Seitz, Associated Press U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the epicenter of Texas' still-growing measles outbreak on Sunday, the same day a funeral was held for a second young child who was not vaccinated and died from a measles-related illness. Continue reading
Apr 02 Watch 8:35 Important HHS services 'will grind to a halt' with cuts, former Secretary Sebelius says By Amna Nawaz, Courtney Norris There’s growing concern over massive cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services as Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. works to reduce the agency workforce by 25 percent. Geoff Bennett discussed the Trump administration's cuts with Kathleen Sebelius, the… Continue watching
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 30 Watch 3:35 News Wrap: Trump says he's 'not joking' about a third term as president In our news wrap Sunday, Trump said he is considering a third term despite the Constitution banning it, the growing Texas measles outbreak is sparking concern in Washington and putting a spotlight on RFK Jr., crews are fighting to contain… Continue watching
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 28 States move to ban or restrict use of synthetic dyes used in candies and cereal By Leah Willingham, Associated Press Synthetic dyes used to make brightly colored cereals, drinks and candies are coming under scrutiny in states across the country. Continue reading
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
Mar 09 HHS makes $25,000 buyout offer to most of its workers as Trump administration continues cuts By Amanda Seitz, Associated Press Most of the 80,000 federal workers responsible for researching diseases, inspecting food and administering Medicare and Medicaid under the auspices of the Health and Human Services Department were emailed an offer to leave their job for as much as a… Continue reading