Uncertainty at Federal Health Agencies as Trump Nominates Anti-Vaccine Activist
Many scientists at federal health agencies await the second Donald Trump administration with dread and uncertainty over how the president-elect will reconcile starkly different philosophies among the leaders of his team.
Trump announced that he’ll nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, after saying during his campaign he’d let the anti-vaccine activist "go wild" on medicines, food, and health.
The Concerns
Should Kennedy win Senate confirmation, his critics say a radical anti-establishment medical movement with roots in past centuries would take power, threatening the achievements of a science-based public health order painstakingly built since World War II.
Trump’s supporters say Kennedy will "end the Chronic Disease epidemic" and "Make America Great and Healthy Again!" Vaccine makers’ stocks dipped Thursday afternoon amid news reports ahead of Trump’s RFK announcement.
The Impact
If Kennedy makes good on his vision for transforming public health, childhood vaccine mandates could wither. New vaccines might never win approval, even as the FDA allows dangerous or inefficient therapies onto the market. Agency websites could trumpet unproven or debunked health ideas. And if Trump’s plan to weaken civil service rights goes through, anyone who questions these decisions could be summarily fired.
The Potential Exodus
With uncertainty over the direction of their agencies, many older scientists at the NIH, FDA, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are considering retirement, said a senior NIH scientist who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of losing his job.
"I hear of many people getting CVs ready," said Arthur Caplan, a professor of bioethics at New York University. They include two of his former students who now work at the FDA, Caplan said.
The "Medical Freedom" Movement
The notion that Kennedy’s presence at the heart of the Trump transition as a triumph of the "medical freedom" movement, which arose in opposition to the Progressive Era idea that experts should guide health care policy and practices.
It could represent a turning away from the expectation that mainstream doctors be respected for their specialized knowledge, said Howard Markel, an emeritus professor of pediatrics and history at the University of Michigan.
The FDA
At the FDA, at least, "it’s very hard to make seismic changes," former FDA chief counsel Dan Troy said. But the administration could score easy libertarian-tinged wins by, for example, telling its new FDA chief to reverse the agency’s refusal to approve the psychedelic drug MDMA from the company Lykos.
The CDC
Numerous past attempts to slim down the NIH have failed in the face of campaigns by patients, researchers, and doctors. GOP lawmakers have advocated substantial cuts to the CDC budget in recent years, including an end to funding gun violence, climate change, and health equity research.
The Conclusion
The uncertainty surrounding the future of federal health agencies has sparked concerns among scientists and healthcare professionals. The nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services has raised questions about the potential impact on public health policy and the role of science-based decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination?
A: Critics say his nomination could lead to a radical anti-establishment medical movement that threatens the achievements of a science-based public health order.
Q: What are the potential consequences of Kennedy’s vision for public health?
A: Childhood vaccine mandates could wither, new vaccines might not be approved, and agency websites could trumpet unproven or debunked health ideas.
Q: Are there concerns about the future of federal health agencies?
A: Yes, many scientists and healthcare professionals are worried about the potential impact of Trump’s administration on public health policy and the role of science-based decision-making.
Q: How might this affect the FDA and CDC?
A: The FDA and CDC may face significant changes, including potential cuts to their budgets and changes to their role in public health policy-making.
