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This week marks the beginning of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Just one week in, Kennedy has already begun enacting some of the most radical parts of his health agenda, blatantly ignoring promises he made to on-the-fence Senators to maintain existing vaccine protocols and trust scientists and experts. 

Just this week, he announced that he would investigate the childhood vaccination schedule, end the CDC’s successful campaign promoting the flu vaccine, scrutinize childhood use of antidepressants, stimulants and other common psychiatric drugs, end recognition of transgender Americans, and even kill NIH climate change programs, turning his back on a decades-long legal career as an environmental advocate. Meanwhile, as Kennedy abandons gold-standard practices and longstanding health protocols and focuses on fringe policies, Texans face a rapidly expanding measles outbreak, bird flu continues to spread and evolve across the country, and Americans are facing their worst flu season in 15 years. Even as the threat from these infectious diseases escalates, Kennedy has stuck to his word and turned his back on public health – and this is only the beginning.

What RFK Has Done

Associated Press: Kennedy Says Panel Will Examine Childhood Vaccine Schedule After Promising Not To Change It.

• “To earn the vote he needed to become the nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a special promise to a U.S. senator: He would not change the nation’s current vaccination schedule. But on Tuesday, speaking for the first time to thousands of U.S. Health and Human Services agency employees, he vowed to investigate the childhood vaccine schedule that prevents measles, polio and other dangerous diseases. ‘Nothing is going to be off limits,’ Kennedy said, adding that pesticides, food additives, microplastics, antidepressants and the electromagnetic waves emitted by cellphones and microwaves also would be studied. Kennedy’s remarks, which circulated on social media, were delivered during a welcome ceremony for the new health secretary at the agency’s headquarters in Washington as a measles outbreak among mostly unvaccinated people raged in West Texas. The event was held after a weekend of mass firings of thousands of HHS employees. More dismissals are expected.”

Stat: HHS orders CDC to halt some vaccine ads, saying RFK Jr. wants message focused on ‘informed consent’ 

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was ordered to shelve promotions it developed for a variety of vaccines, including a “Wild to Mild” advertising campaign urging people to get vaccinated against flu, two sources familiar with the decision told STAT. The Department of Health and Human Services’ assistant secretary for public affairs informed the CDC that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wanted advertisements that promote the idea of “informed consent” in vaccine decision-making instead. Informed consent is the principle that people should be notified of all the risks, as well as benefits, of any medical intervention they receive or any drug they are prescribed. It is a cornerstone of health care delivery. Shifting the framing of advertising for vaccines that the CDC has long recommended — like flu shots — to more heavily focus on the risks of vaccines could undermine people’s willingness to get vaccinated, or to have their children immunized.

Axios: HHS Postpones First Vaccine Advisory Meeting of RFK Era.

• “The first CDC vaccine advisory committee meeting since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as HHS secretary has been indefinitely postponed, the department confirmed. Why it matters: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, offers guidance on vaccine approvals and influences which shots insurers cover.”
• “The big picture: ACIP meetings have been rescheduled under previous administrations, but the delay throws into question whether the Trump administration will follow precedent with a leading vaccine critic at the helm of the federal health department. An agenda for the meeting, which was scheduled for Feb. 26-28, included discussions about vaccines for COVID-19, meningococcal virus, influenza, RSV, HPV and mpox. Catch up quick: Earlier this week, Kennedy said in an address to HHS staff that “nothing is off limits” in examining the causes of chronic disease, including examining childhood vaccine schedules.”

Washington Post: Trump Casts Psychiatric and Weight-Loss Drugs as Threats to Children.

• “President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to scrutinize the ‘threat’ to children posed by antidepressants, stimulants and other common psychiatric drugs, targeting medication taken by millions in his latest challenge to long-standing medical practices. The directive came in an executive order Thursday that established a ‘Make America Healthy Again’ commission led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized the use of those drugs and issued false claims about them. The order said the commission should prepare a ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ assessment within 100 days that examines ‘the prevalence of and threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs.’ The directive comes as children and teens endure a mental health crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Kennedy also has made childhood nutrition and healthful food a signature issue. He has been critical of the boom in weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro.”

Mother Jones: RFK Jr., Onetime Environmentalist, Kills NIH Climate Change Programs.

• “In 1999, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., then an environmental lawyer, was named by Time magazine as a ‘hero of the planet’ for his pioneering work to clean up America’s waterways. On February 14 of this year, his second day as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, he ended HHS funding for climate change and health programs at the National Institutes of Health, a move that will likely terminate this work. That day, Ken Callahan, a senior adviser for policy and implementation in the Immediate Office of the Secretary for HHS, sent an email to Dr. Matthew Memoli, the acting director of NIH, noting that HHS would no longer support three programs run by the agency: the Climate Change and Health Initiative, the Climate Change and Health Research Coordinating Center, and the Climate and Health Scholars Program.”

New York Times: Citing ‘Biological Truth,’ Kennedy Issues Guidance Recognizing Only Two Sexes.

• “Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration had adopted a set of official government ‘sex-based definitions’ to give the public and federal agencies precise terms with which to describe categories including ‘male,’ ‘female,’ ‘woman’ and ‘man.’ The definitions are listed in a one-page ‘guidance’ that is aimed, in part, at keeping transgender women and girls out of female sports, discouraging gender-affirming care for young people and fulfilling President Trump’s pledge that the federal government will recognize only two sexes: male and female. ‘This administration is bringing back common sense and restoring biological truth to the federal government,’ Mr. Kennedy said in a statement. ‘The prior administration’s policy of trying to engineer gender ideology into every aspect of public life is over.’’

Politico: RFK Jr. Prepares Shake-Up Of Vaccine Advisers.

• “HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to remove members of the outside committees that advise the federal government on vaccine approvals and other key public health decisions, according to two people familiar with the planning. Kennedy plans to replace members who he perceives to have conflicts of interest, as part of a widespread effort to minimize what he’s criticized as undue industry influence over the nation’s health agencies, said one of the people, who were granted anonymity to speak freely.”

Rising Public Health Threats 

Axios: U.S. Facing Worst Flu Season Since 2009, Experts Say.

• “The worst flu season in 15 years has left hundreds of thousands of Americans hospitalized while straining physicians’ offices and emergency departments. Why it matters: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard. “The two predominant strains that are circulating right now are known to be more severe and have more severe outcomes, especially in high-risk patients,” said Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. ‘It’s really clogging up our ERs and our outpatient facilities. And for the first time, we’ve seen cases of influenza that have surpassed COVID-19 in hospitalizations and deaths, since the COVID pandemic began,’ she said. By the numbers: This flu season is classified as a “high-severity” season, with estimates of at least 29 million cases, the most since the 2009-2010 flu season, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.”

CNN: West Texas Measles Outbreak Doubles to 48 Cases.

• “The measles outbreak first reported in Gaines County, Texas, has doubled to 48 cases since a count released earlier this week, the Texas Department of State Health Services said Friday. The first two cases were identified in late January, and the numbers have been rising since. Forty-two cases are reported in Gaines County. Surrounding counties have also reported cases, three in Terry County, two in Yoakum County and one in Lynn County. With the contagious nature of the disease, the state health department says it expects that more cases will be reported in Gaines County and the surrounding areas. All of the cases are in unvaccinated people or those who have unknown vaccination status. Most cases are in children 5 to 17 years old. All experienced an onset of symptoms in the past three weeks. Among the 48 cases, 13 have been hospitalized. Two measles cases were also reported in bordering Lea County, New Mexico, on Friday, bringing the total there this week to three. The first case involved an unvaccinated teenager, and the vaccination status in the other cases is unknown.”

The Hill: Trump Moves Hamper Bird Flu Response As Egg Prices Spike.

• “The Trump administration’s efforts to impose its will on the federal workforce through mass firings, funding freezes and communication blackouts is hampering the ability of public health professionals to respond to the growing threat of avian flu. As egg prices continue to rise and more cases are detected, state and local health officials say there is no clear plan of action from the administration. Dozens of people in the U.S. have also contracted the disease, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting the first human death from H5N1 last month.”

A record 24.2 million Americans are enrolled in quality, affordable coverage because of the enhanced premium tax credits passed by President Biden and Democrats in 2021. Not only did Republicans in Congress unanimously oppose these tax credits to lower costs for middle-class families, but they are now refusing to extend them, which will raise costs and rip away health care from millions of Americans. Republican efforts to take away these tax credits mean costs will skyrocket by an average of $2,400 for millions of families, and 5 million people will lose their health care entirely. 

With a Republican trifecta and so many enrolled in affordable coverage, the Republican threat to affordable health care looms large. Middle-class families are already struggling to keep up with the cost of living, and their health care costs would go up by an average of 90% per year. At the same time, Republicans in Congress want to give more tax breaks to billionaires and big companies. 

Premiums for individuals, families, and older Americans will skyrocket if Republicans allow the tax credits to expire. On average:

• A 45-year-old making $60,000 (411% of the federal poverty level) will see their annual premium go up by $1,367.
• A family of four making $125,000 (416% of the federal poverty level) will see their annual premium go up by $7,700.
• A 60-year-old couple making $80,000 (405% of the federal poverty level) will see their annual premium go up by $17,511.

Democrats are united on this issue and fighting to stop premium increases. As of January 2025, a record 24 million Americans are enrolled in quality, affordable coverage because of the tax credits passed by Democrats in Congress without a single Republican vote – that’s more than twice as many people with insurance as when Trump held office. 

Americans cannot afford Republican premium hikes. Hardworking families are depending on lawmakers to act.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: In Their Own Words: Marketplace Enrollees Would Struggle to Afford Premium Hikes if Congress Refuses to Extend Improved Tax Credits.

• Olivia, 22, Michigan: “‘I might have to go without my psych meds, which would not be ideal. … It would definitely be harmful for my life.’”
• Michael, 54, Arizona: “‘If it does happen, we’ll have to cut costs elsewhere and that’s now digging into basic necessities, like, food, car, gas, rent. We’re struggling already as it is.’”
• Ximena, 35, Texas: “Her health insurance premium will likely increase by more than $200 a month if Congress refuses to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. ‘That $200 currently is going to other things,’ she said. ‘Gas is expensive, food is like exponentially expensive.’ If her increase ends up being closer to $400 a month, Ximena would drop her coverage, despite the anxiety it would cause.”
• Erin, 62, Georgia: “Dropping health coverage isn’t an option for many people with chronic conditions. ‘If I didn’t have health insurance I probably wouldn’t be here.’ … If Congress takes away the enhanced premium tax credit, Erin’s health insurance cost will likely increase by around $180 a month. Erin doesn’t know how she’d afford it.”
• Lisa, 55, Ohio: “‘I already feel like I have cut costs in every area of my life that I possibly can. I would have to look at everything in my life to determine what could be slashed even more. And if I couldn’t do that, it’s almost like I would have to just give up on trying to keep my health at a point where I can tell my kids that I would continue to do everything I could to be there for them…’”

The Commonwealth Fund: Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for ACA Health Plans: Who They Help, and Who Gets Hurt If They’re Not Extended.

• “With the implementation of enhanced tax credits, marketplace plan premiums fell for people at all income levels, and plan choices increased.”
• “The enhanced subsidies are especially beneficial to people in rural areas of the country. Benchmark premiums in rural areas are about 10 percent higher than in urban areas, meaning that rural residents benefit the most from enhanced premium subsidies.”
• “The enhanced tax credits also expanded the number of affordable coverage options for workers who were in employer plans they couldn’t afford, and they provided small businesses with more cost-effective options for their employees.”
• “If Congress does not extend the premium tax credits, the ACA marketplaces could become unstable…The combination of a smaller market, higher average health risk among enrollees, and less competition among insurance carriers could drive premium costs even higher.”

The Center for American Progress: 5 Ways the ACA’s Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Have Improved Health Coverage Affordability and Access.

• “The ACA’s enhanced tax credits have made health insurance more affordable and accessible for American families across the country. By lowering premiums, reducing out-of-pocket costs, increasing enrollment, narrowing racial disparities, and stabilizing the marketplaces, the enhanced tax credits have strengthened the ACA’s foundation and expanded health coverage to a record number of people. Without congressional action to extend the enhanced tax credits beyond 2025, millions of Americans shopping for coverage this fall will see higher premiums and reduced plan options, and many will become uninsured. Policymakers must act to preserve affordable health coverage.”

Watch the Event Here

Republicans Want to Rip Away Health Care from Millions to Fund Tax Breaks for the Wealthy 

Washington D.C. — Today, Governors Josh Green, M.D. (HI), Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM), Ned Lamont (CT), Tina Kotek (OR), and Matt Meyer (DE) joined Protect Our Care to highlight how Medicaid is a lifeline in their states. Republicans are trying to slash Medicaid, and if they get their way, millions will lose coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities — all to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. 

In the last week, President Trump endorsed the House budget plan which slashes Medicaid funding by at least $880 billion and up to $2 trillion, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has confirmed the GOP plan to dismantle Medicaid, saying Elon Musk will cut at least “a trillion” from Medicaid. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, and new polling finds that a majority of Americans think the government should spend more on health care — not less. 

“The Democratic governors with us today are fighting every day to improve the health care of the people in their states,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “While Republicans in Congress wage a war against American health care, these governors are at the front lines working to improve access and lower costs — often with bipartisan support in their state legislatures and always with bipartisan support from their constituents. They are on the frontline of this battle, and we owe them our thanks.”

“I came to be a family physician in rural Hawaii, where almost all of my patients were on Medicaid,” said Governor Josh Green (HI). “Without Medicaid, there would be no care for those individuals in rural Hawaii, and that plays out over and over again all across America. Can you imagine a country that doesn’t have critical access to hospitals, or rural hospitals, where people instead have to drive hundreds of miles to be cared for? This is an existential moment for America where so many millions of Americans are about to have their health care taken away from them.”

“This is a life and death situation for so many of our citizens and all of our states,” said Governor Ned Lamont (CT). “All they’re going to do is cut back on Medicaid, cut back on health care for our poor citizens, and push costs to the states. That’s going to be tough for our smaller hospitals, our rural hospitals, and making sure that access is available throughout our states –  big and small. That’s what we’re really at risk of right now.”

“Medicaid is absolutely critical to making sure Oregonians have the care they need,” said Governor Tina Kotek (OR). “Medicaid cuts at the federal level will have real consequences for real people in my state and in states around the country, and it’s not what people are asking for. I am not hearing from Oregonians that we need big tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations. They’re worried about their household budgets, and they need predictability from their federal government. We need the federal government to do their part, continue to maintain Medicaid, continue to be a funding partner for health care in our states.”

“Americans are seeing health care harder to access, and by cutting Medicaid, it just puts an additional burden on us,” said Governor Matt Meyer (DE). “The challenge we have right now is that we’re not sure we have a partner in Washington who wants to work with us. They’re looking at the federal budgets that have a deep and direct impact on Americans, and they’re slashing it with a machete. Our care is going to be directly affected by this act.”

“Cuts to Medicaid affect every American,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM). “If we don’t have funding in health care, your own private insurance options are diminished, your prescription drug access will be diminished, and your costs will skyrocket. The right answer is to invest in a meaningful health care system that protects every American.”

Washington, DC – Just one week in, RFK Jr. has already begun enacting some of the most radical parts of his conspiracy theory-filled agenda, breaking promises he made to on-the-fence Senators during his confirmation process. Coverage confirms that RFK Jr. will be removing members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee after canceling a critical meeting on vaccine approvals. In response, Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“RFK Jr. played Bill Cassidy like a fiddle. It hasn’t even been a week and he is already breaking his promises. After saying anything to on-the-fence senators to get confirmed, RFK Jr. is now showing his true colors as the anti-science, anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist he always has been. The consequences of RFK Jr.’s broken promises, which were always bullshit, will be more sick and dead Americans, including children, and Senator Cassidy and his colleagues who bought what Kennedy was selling will bear responsibility.”

Background: 

RFK Jr. Committed To Not Change Vaccine Review Standards, Nor Deprioritize Or Delay Vaccine Approval. During Kennedy’s confirmation hearings, Senator Cassidy asked, “[Do you] promise that the FDA will not deprioritize or delay review and/or approval of new vaccines, and that vaccine review standards will not change from historical norms?” Kennedy replied, “Yes.” [Science, 1/30/25]

RFK Jr. Assured Cassidy He Would Maintain The CDC’s ACIP Without Changes. Cassidy said, “If confirmed, [RFK] will maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes.” [Chief Health Care Executive, 2/11/25]

RFK Jr. Assured Murkowski He Would Not Make It Difficult For People To Take Vaccines Or Discourage Vaccination Efforts. “I continue to have concerns about Mr. Kennedy’s views on vaccines and his selective interpretation of scientific studies, which initially caused my misgivings about his nomination. Vaccines have saved millions of lives, and I sought assurance that, as HHS Secretary, he would do nothing to make it difficult for people to take vaccines or discourage vaccination efforts.” [Sen. Lisa Murkowski, X, 2/12/25]

*** MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20 AT 12 PM ET***

Republicans Want to Rip Away Health Care from Millions to Fund Tax Breaks for the Wealthy 

This Thursday, February 20 at 12 PM ET, Democratic governors from across the country will join Protect Our Care for an in-person press conference in Washington D.C.  During the conference, the governors will speak on how Medicaid is a lifeline in their states and the devastation that would result if Republicans are successful in taking away Medicaid from millions across the country.

Recent reporting shows congressional Republicans intend to slash Medicaid funding by at least $880 billion and up to $2 trillion to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations, resulting in millions losing coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, and new polling finds that a majority of Americans think the government should spend more on health care — not less. 

WHO:
Democratic Governors
Protect Our Care

WHAT: Medicaid Defense Press Conference

WHEN: Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 12 PM ET

WHERE: RSVP here for location

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19***

This Week Protect Our Care Will Release Ads, Run Billboards, Host 10+ Events With Elected Officials and Advocates 

Today, Protect Our Care is hosting events across five states to blast the GOP’s latest budget plan that will put billionaires over American health care. Recent reporting shows congressional Republicans intend to slash Medicaid funding by at least $880 billion and up to $2 trillion to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy and big corporations, resulting in millions losing coverage, including children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, and new polling finds that a majority of Americans think the government should spend more on health care — not less. Throughout the week, speakers will discuss how these unpopular cuts will hurt families and call on lawmakers to protect access to health care, not take it away. 

This week, Protect Our Care is also expanding its “Hands Off Medicaid” campaign to defend Medicaid from devastating cuts with 10 ads, seven billboards, and a mobile billboard in 10 key House districts. This latest investment of nearly $1 million began Saturday, February 15, and will run for two weeks starting as members of Congress return home for recess. Watch Protect Our Care’s ads here, view the billboards here, and watch the New York mobile billboard here.

NEW YORK 

WHO:
U.S. Representative Laura Gillen (NY-04)
Assembly Member Michaelle Solages
1199SEIU members
Cynthia Ngombe, Healthcare Education Project

WHAT: Medicaid Defense Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 9:45 AM ET

WHERE: Rep. Gillen’s District Office, 229 7th Street, Suite 102, Garden City, New York 11530

PENNSYLVANIA

WHO:
Make the Road PA
Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans
PA Stands Up
Pennsylvania State Education Association
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
Service Employees International Union
Working Families Party
PA-07 Constituents

WHAT: Medicaid Defense Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 12 PM ET

WHERE: Congressman Ryan Mackenzie’s District Office, 1125 S Cedar Crest Blvd Suite 109, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103

NORTH CAROLINA

WHO:
U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (NC-02)
State Rep. Sarah Crawford
Haywood Watson, NC Retired Storyteller
Vanessa Watson, Protect Our Care North Carolina

WHAT: Medicaid Defense Virtual Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 1:30 PM ET

WHERE: Register here (Registration required)

MAINE

WHO:
State Rep. Annie Graham, retired Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Marie Follaytarr, a survivor of a rare Leukemia
Toby McGrath, Protect Our Care Maine

WHAT: Medicaid Defense Press Conference

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 2 PM ET

WHERE: 84 Marginal Way Suite 600, Portland, ME 04101

CALIFORNIA

WHO:
SEIU health care workers and providers
Patient storytellers
Local health care organizations
Labor unions

WHAT: “Hands Off Medi-Cal” Town Hall

WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 6 PM PST // 9 PM ET

WHERE: Corona City Center, 365 N. Main St. Corona, CA 92880