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As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) continues to make his rounds on Capitol Hill to secure support for his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services, over 15,000 doctors and public health officials have called on Senators to reject his nomination.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after President-Elect Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, President-Elect Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For Kennedy to be confirmed, he requires a simple majority in the 100-member Senate, meaning he needs at least 51 votes. The current Senate consists of 53 Republicans and 44 Democrats. If all 49 Democrats oppose Kennedy, as many expect, he would need the support of at least 51 Republican senators to secure confirmation, allowing for no more than two defections within the GOP ranks.
What’s going on now: In a letter addressed to the US Senate, over 15,000 medical professionals expressed strong opposition to the confirmation of RFK as Secretary of HHS, calling his nomination “dangerous” and “a direct threat to the safety of our patients and the public at large.” Organized by the Committee to Protect Health Care, the letter condemns Kennedy’s history of spreading vaccine “misinformation” and promoting “unscientific health claims,” which they argue undermine the integrity of the healthcare system. In the letter, they wrote, “This appointment is an affront to the principles of public health, the tireless dedication of medical professionals, and the trust that millions of Americans place in the health care system.” They added that his appointment is a “slap in the face to every health care professional who has spent their lives working to protect patients from preventable illnesses and death.”
The letter also goes into Kennedy’s advocacy for various health theories, including claims that vaccines cause autism and his promotion of theories about COVID-19 vaccines. Signatories of the letter argued, “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. RFK Jr. is not only unqualified to lead this essential agency — he is actively dangerous.”
This comes as some Democratic lawmakers, including several physicians in Congress, have echoed these sentiments. Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA), a pediatrician, described Kennedy’s anti-vaccine activism as “beyond irresponsible” and warned that his confirmation could lead to preventable deaths. “This is not a matter of political difference; this is about protecting lives,” Schrier stated at a press conference. Joining her were other physician-lawmakers, such as Representative Ami Bera (D-CA) and Hawaii Governor Josh Green, who called Kennedy’s nomination a significant public health risk.
To the contrary, some Republican lawmakers with medical backgrounds have voiced their support for RFK’s nomination, framing it as an opportunity to reform the nation’s approach to public health. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), an ophthalmologist, has praised Kennedy’s willingness to challenge the status quo, particularly his criticisms of pharmaceutical companies and vaccine mandates. Similarly, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KA), an obstetrician, has endorsed Kennedy’s broader public health initiatives, even forming a “Make America Healthy Again” caucus to support his focus on addressing the root causes of disease.
