A coalition of over 15,000 medical professionals has united in a strong letter urging the U.S. Senate to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The petition, organized by the Committee to Protect Health Care, a physicians’ advocacy group, raises concerns about Kennedy’s controversial track record in public health, particularly his anti-vaccine stance and promotion of misleading health claims.
The letter emphasizes the need for leadership at HHS that prioritizes science, evidence-based medicine, and the strengthening of the nation’s public health infrastructure. It states: “The health and well-being of 336 million Americans depend on leadership at HHS that prioritizes science, evidence-based medicine, and strengthening the integrity of our public health system.” The signatories argue that Kennedy, due to his long history of spreading harmful misinformation, is not only unqualified but poses a direct threat to public health.
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views have been particularly contentious. He has been a prominent figure in the vaccine misinformation movement for years, claiming that vaccines are unsafe, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. His stance on vaccines is just one aspect of a broader pattern of promoting baseless and dangerous medical theories. The letter also highlights his unsupported claims about a connection between school shootings and antidepressant use, as well as his endorsement of unproven COVID-19 treatments.
The petition reflects the frustration and concern of healthcare workers who have dedicated their careers to saving lives and combating preventable diseases. “This appointment is a slap in the face to every healthcare professional who has spent their lives working to protect patients from preventable illness and death,” the letter reads, underscoring the deep mistrust Kennedy’s views have fostered within the medical community.
Kennedy, who has been meeting with both Republican and Democratic senators in preparation for his confirmation hearing, faces a difficult confirmation process. If all Senate Democrats vote against him, Kennedy will need the support of nearly all Republican senators to secure the position. Although the date of the confirmation hearing has yet to be set, the growing opposition from health professionals and public health organizations signals a contentious battle ahead.
Kennedy’s spokesperson, Katie Miller, downplayed the concerns raised by the doctors. In a response to media inquiries, Miller dismissed the opposition as “just another grift,” suggesting that those criticizing Kennedy were merely attempting to benefit from fundraising efforts. She expressed confidence that Kennedy would ultimately be confirmed, stating, “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be confirmed and those who are spending their time undermining him will have no place and no voice at HHS.”
The letter and ongoing advocacy efforts have sparked wider public debate. The liberal nonprofit Protect Our Care has launched a campaign highlighting Kennedy’s role in spreading misinformation, pointing to his 2019 trip to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak that claimed 83 lives, primarily children. Hawaii Governor Josh Green, a physician, has also spoken out against Kennedy, warning that his appointment could endanger public health and reverse critical progress made in vaccine advocacy.
Public health advocates, including Dr. Rob Davidson, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Health Care, continue to rally against Kennedy’s nomination. “We definitely are no friend of Pharma, and they’re no friend to us,” Davidson remarked, emphasizing that the group’s opposition to Kennedy was rooted in genuine concerns for patient safety, not influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
As the Senate prepares to deliberate on Kennedy’s nomination, the growing chorus of opposition from healthcare professionals highlights the significant divide between political interests and the concerns of those on the frontlines of public health. Whether Kennedy’s controversial views will be enough to sway lawmakers remains to be seen, but for many doctors, this nomination is a matter of protecting the health and safety of the American public.
