As someone who is the caregiver for my 75 year old mom who has RA and a history of cancer, I’m deeply concerned about changes to Medicare. I know Sharon didn’t go into it here, but Project 2025’s desired changes to Medicare (a move to privatized Medicare) and ACA rules like coverage for pre-existing conditions makes me really nervous. I ultimately don’t trust that there are educated, compassionate adults making decisions for millions of lives.
So far, there are certainly not any educated, compassionate adults in this administration. Please keep speaking up and out for you, your mother, and all vulnerable people. I am with you!
I wonder if the fear of Medicare being privatized is a potential bright spot for RFK being in the picture. I am no expert on any of this (although I did just read a very helpful article about it by Sharon McMahon).
The goals of Project 2025 seem to be in direct conflict to RFK’s hatred of the medical establishment. Not only that, but as Sharon points out, there isn’t a whole lot that the head of HHS can do that RFK seems to think he can do, an exception being managing medicare. I find it hard to believe he would be into any rules that takes medical care further away from patients’ decisions and empowers insurers, and that might be a way he fortunately would have some control. Just looking for a little hope here…
As a second Trump presidency begins to unfold and cabinet picks are revealed I can’t help but think of something Brene Brown has said about power. She speaks about power over vs power with or power to. President elect Trump’s cabinet picks are feeling like power over kind of individuals rather than power with or power to (as in; We the People…) individuals.
I am putting this thought out there wondering if I am alone in my thinking. Also, I want to express my continued gratitude to Sharon for her time in compiling these articles. It gives me a sense of calm to better understand the facts and know that knowledge is power and can lend itself to reasonable thought and judgment.
It's baffling to me that anyone thinks this man is fit to ruin HHS, as he has no medical or scientific qualifications. He merely says whatever he feels, and that's NOT how a science- based governmental agency should be run. Positions of power shouldn't be given to someone just because they threw money or support behind the candidate; they should be given to those who are uniquely QUALIFIED. I'm very worried for the future of our country.
I’m a farmer, and my background is in public health. This nomination *terrifies* me. RJK Jr’s actions could have long-term negative implications for generations to come. Ask any elderly person what it was like before we had vaccines for polio and measles & how many of their friends were gravely sick, permanently injured, or died. Ask them how often infants and children became severely ill or died from consuming raw milk. Vaccines and pasteurization save lives. We need to restore trust in the scientific community. RFK Jr —someone who touts conspiracy theories related to health—is not it.
Additionally, as someone who uses a USDA facility to process our pastured poultry, I know that regulations for food safety are there for a reason!! Rolling back regulations on food safety will only contribute to more food borne illnesses.
Yes Sara!! Thank you for sharing your practical, real world experience. The work of our public health professionals is so important, but believing in conspiracy theories is so much more fun for people. It's maddening!
When I knew nothing, I was pro vaccine. Then I learned a little bit, and I became anti vaccine (“vaccine skeptic” if you like). Then I learned a bit more and I realized that my amateur knowledge is no match for the decades and centuries of the collective wisdom of scientists developed through (real) research and practice. Scientific consensus is not a meaningless catchphrase, but a real and powerful concept integral to learning and development of treatments and cures. Yes, pharmaceutical companies exist to make a profit (hello capitalism). And by the way, the supplement industry makes $6 TRILLION a year and has no regulations to protect consumers. But did you know that vaccines actually make up a very small portion of their annual revenues (feel free to fact check me on this)? The reason we do not hold pharmaceuticals financially liable for (totally legitimate, but RARE) vaccine injury complaints is because the incentive to create vaccines would disappear. And we (society as a whole) desperately need them to continue that work.
Yes! Exactly where I'm at, pro vaccine, then vaccine skeptic, pro supplement, and then I realized, wow, I'm a total amateur and no match for the collective knowledge of science and I felt duped!
I'm always amazed when people talk about the big, bad pharmaceutical companies and only out for money, and I tell them...yes...you're just now figuring this out? They are FOR-profit! At least they are regulated, unlike the supplement and wellness industry when we get every Tom, Dick and Harriet hanging out in a grocery telling us what's good and bad with absolutely NO evidence to back anything up creating fear and distrust.
Also, I'm in no way saying that everything works perfectly with our government agencies or Congress or big business. We definitely have issues that need to be addressed.
Of course! Agree on every point. I do think more transparency will help tamp down fear. But I also think that voices like RFKs don't need to be heard, because people are simply too overwhelmed with information (both good & bad) to be able to rightly divide and discern what is factual. I know that's a controversial opinion, but we've seen with our own eyes that cream doesn't necessarily rise to the top in our public discourse, and too many people with absurd, baseless opinions are platformed and empowered.
Thank you for the insight, Sharon. Great job covering some basics of RFK, Jr. I think you are just touching the surface of the issues with him being in charge of anything. I appreciate the discussion on what he can or cannot do on his own. In my view, this cabinet pick was solely so Trump could garner up the RFK votes. Things that RFK Jr. want to do are in complete opposition to the Republican platform of deregulation for big businesses. The things that RFK Jr. wants to do will require regulation of large food companies, pharmaceuticals, etc. It makes no sense.
I actually was in that "group" for a while, for lack of a better word. When you have kids, it's easy to go down the rabbit hole as you are trying to do the best for your kids, and I was right there. I have micropreemies, born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb each at birth, and it was incredibly scary and once they came home from the hospital, I found myself just believing things without really checking things out due to the fear created about chemicals and food, etc.
I actually credit Covid for getting me out of that fearful state of chemophobia and pseudoscience. I think Operation Warp Speed is actually one of the things that Trump did right! The vaccine being produced quickly was a direct result of him removing bureaucratic barriers and allowing phases to happen simultaneously to shorten the timeframe. It was because of Covid that I really dug into the science behind vaccines and for the first time, I really understood them and why they are so important to public health. From this it started me questioning all that I believed. I learned that one really needs to look at what the whole body of evidence is saying and that you don't just automatically believe something just because a doctor says it especially when it comes to scientific study as most aren't really trained in it. I also realized that I, and really no lay person, is qualified to recognize whether a study is good or not. It really takes so much scientific training to understand. I feel like I was duped and finally got back to the place of logic.
Anyway, I have evolved, lol. RFK Jr. is a danger to public health. He may have some good ideas here and there, but the fact that he blatantly spews untruths about HIV and whatever else he just lobs out there, makes him totally unqualified. Also, more SA allegations? How many are we up to now?
Hello fellow micro momma. My daughter was 1 lb 7 oz and while I didn’t go down the same path, the trauma from having children in the NICU can absolutely be manipulated. Just targeting our kids’ health in general is manipulative. Even with gun control, people are manipulated into believing that more guns are what is safe even when data shows otherwise. Fear is a great way to control.
Amazing story and somewhat similar to my own journey (though it happened years before Covid). My thought processes were similarly transformed. Hopeful for others to experience this awakening to evidence based thinking.
He seems not to have met a conspiracy theory that he didn't like. Maintenance Phase did an excellent multi-part series about RFK Jr*, and I do have a tremendous amount of empathy for RFK Jr and the life experiences that shaped him: is it so unexpected to turn to conspiracies when both your uncle and dad were assassinated like they were?
It is so helpful to see all of this info in one place, thank you for writing this! I’m trying not to be overly anxious or worried since we don’t know exactly what will happen, but feeling especially concerned about vaccine access and food safety.
I hope he and all of Trump's appointees actually go through the approval process. Trump has proposed bypassing the process using the Recess Appointment Clause. He will do anything to ram his horrible nominees through.
I am again so devastated and frightened by this choice for an important position. I have had hormone driven breast cancer and have much younger and dear friends who also fight this deadly disease. The Covid vaccine jumpstarted many clinical trials for vaccines to stop this horror. RFK could stop them and doom us to years more of fighting and dying when a cure is almost there. It is more of what this administration brings- putting dread where there had been hope. I know there are those who have reactions to vaccines- this is tragic- but the overwhelming majority of our population benefits from them.
I agree with this sentiment. He also stated he would like to give research on infectious disease a “break for about 8 years” which is incredibly concerning and would put the US light years behind in the event of another pandemic.
But what if insurance no longer covers these things because of his policies. Then you can get a vaccine but it’s $1K? More? Hopefully less? People with cancer already have exceptionally high expenses
I just remember back in the heat if Covid rFK was throwing large anti vax rallies. That angered me because of the multitude of people dying of Covid and healthcare workers trying to care for folks to their own detriment. Anyone who spreads disinformation to large groups is complicit in harm. You too Joe Rogan and so many others out there. Also I don’t appreciate that RFK chose to bargain off democracy by filing voters away from Harris and to Trump for RFKs own personal quest for power.
I had 3 grandparents pass from COVID and I won’t lie - it really strikes a nerve when I hear others spread misinformation about it (COVID isn’t real, they’re altering death certificates, doctors are being paid to diagnose COVID). The fact that RFK, Jr helped fund “Plandemic” is incredibly upsetting.
So sorry about your grandparents… my great niece lost her grandma who was a major caretaker for her and a lovely human (and probably just in early 50’s)
Good point Amy. That would have been an interesting turn. I think my issue with many of the things trump does is it is always Quid Pro Quo. “ you get a cabinet seat if you stop your campaign and join mine. I don’t think Harris is overtly Quid Pro Quo-ing 🧐I will check out the post by Marianne Williamson. Thank you.
Oh Sharon you are a Godsend! Thanks for the Informative article on JFK. I listen to your TED TALK on American Democracy as an Adult Bedtime Story to sooth me to sleep some nights. I recommend everyone watch it. I love your podcast. I put Jamil Zaki's quote on my wall. I loved the recent one about Harriet Tubman, and the lady who said she knew she had Sojuenier Truth on one shoulder, and Harriet Tubman on the other, when she refused to go to the back of the bus. WOW! KellyAnnStillHoping for Democracy and Sanity. You give me HOPE Sharon!
Thank you for this article. It kind of calms my fears about what actually could happen. My son is pursuing a PhD in BioChemistry and we’ve been talking about this nominee for weeks now. I remember when this same son was in elementary school and Michelle Obama tried to help with childhood obesity. She was met with a lot of resistance…
Really curious to know how Big Pharma is feeling about this nomination. On one hand, relying on pseudoscience and conspiracies will lead to steering the gov’t away from promoting/approving pharmaceuticals (Big Pharma no likey), but on the other: we’re all gonna be sicker and need more medicine (Big Pharma likey?) I wonder if they’re trying to lobby GOP senators one way or the other.
I guess the same would apply to Big Ag, Big Corn, and all the others who have tons of influential lobbying $$ as well as skin in the game when it comes to FDA-affected products/innovations.
As others are saying, thank you Sharon for fact based articles. Although greatly concerned, and many of you have written eloquently about them, having facts before me, gives me clarity. Lessens the chaos. Keeps me rational.
RFK holds some controversial opinions (including some WTF ones) for sure. He has some perspectives/ideas that I find hopeful, and 'directionally accurate'.
Medicare reform is one of them, including: securing adequate Medicare reimbursement related to cognitive specialties (versus procedural based specialties), including protecting evaluation and management (E/M) payment; preventing cuts to reimbursements in the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and federal statutes; repealing the cap on Medicare funding training positions; preserving telehealth coverage, and more. Food additives, food safety and food quality is worth improving, and this Preamble blurb is especially telling about where priorities within the FDA have been focused: "But food is regulated differently than drugs are, and the division of the FDA that oversees food safety has a very small budget that comes directly from Congress." Vaccine safety should be a high priority for all of us, and a critical examination of the totality of our childhood vaccine schedules (and adult, too) along with vaccine safety and administration should be an ongoing effort. The Preamble states the HHS secretary can't affect water fluoridation, but for what it's worth, I also think that's worth exploration.
I'll conclude my comments by saying I'm not here to champion RFK’s candidacy as HHS secretary. I have watched some long-form interviews and town halls with him, which reveal more insight into why he thinks the way he does (even if you disagree with him), starting with the assassination of his father and his uncle. I think it will be interesting, if he makes it to the Senate floor, what questions will be put to him and how he will answer.
Hi Tammy! Do you happen to have links to share regarding some of the “directionally accurate” ideas RFK Jr has? Not asking in order to argue - I’m genuinely interested because I haven’t heard this before. I’m sure I can find them, but wondering if you have easy access before I start searching.
As someone who is the caregiver for my 75 year old mom who has RA and a history of cancer, I’m deeply concerned about changes to Medicare. I know Sharon didn’t go into it here, but Project 2025’s desired changes to Medicare (a move to privatized Medicare) and ACA rules like coverage for pre-existing conditions makes me really nervous. I ultimately don’t trust that there are educated, compassionate adults making decisions for millions of lives.
So far, there are certainly not any educated, compassionate adults in this administration. Please keep speaking up and out for you, your mother, and all vulnerable people. I am with you!
I wonder if the fear of Medicare being privatized is a potential bright spot for RFK being in the picture. I am no expert on any of this (although I did just read a very helpful article about it by Sharon McMahon).
The goals of Project 2025 seem to be in direct conflict to RFK’s hatred of the medical establishment. Not only that, but as Sharon points out, there isn’t a whole lot that the head of HHS can do that RFK seems to think he can do, an exception being managing medicare. I find it hard to believe he would be into any rules that takes medical care further away from patients’ decisions and empowers insurers, and that might be a way he fortunately would have some control. Just looking for a little hope here…
As a second Trump presidency begins to unfold and cabinet picks are revealed I can’t help but think of something Brene Brown has said about power. She speaks about power over vs power with or power to. President elect Trump’s cabinet picks are feeling like power over kind of individuals rather than power with or power to (as in; We the People…) individuals.
I am putting this thought out there wondering if I am alone in my thinking. Also, I want to express my continued gratitude to Sharon for her time in compiling these articles. It gives me a sense of calm to better understand the facts and know that knowledge is power and can lend itself to reasonable thought and judgment.
Nori, I am also grateful for all of the people that share their insights with respect in these comments.
It's baffling to me that anyone thinks this man is fit to ruin HHS, as he has no medical or scientific qualifications. He merely says whatever he feels, and that's NOT how a science- based governmental agency should be run. Positions of power shouldn't be given to someone just because they threw money or support behind the candidate; they should be given to those who are uniquely QUALIFIED. I'm very worried for the future of our country.
Maria, and worried for the world. We are all connected.
I’m a farmer, and my background is in public health. This nomination *terrifies* me. RJK Jr’s actions could have long-term negative implications for generations to come. Ask any elderly person what it was like before we had vaccines for polio and measles & how many of their friends were gravely sick, permanently injured, or died. Ask them how often infants and children became severely ill or died from consuming raw milk. Vaccines and pasteurization save lives. We need to restore trust in the scientific community. RFK Jr —someone who touts conspiracy theories related to health—is not it.
Additionally, as someone who uses a USDA facility to process our pastured poultry, I know that regulations for food safety are there for a reason!! Rolling back regulations on food safety will only contribute to more food borne illnesses.
Yes Sara!! Thank you for sharing your practical, real world experience. The work of our public health professionals is so important, but believing in conspiracy theories is so much more fun for people. It's maddening!
The MAHA movement uses scare tactics/fear/misinformation. It’s so disheartening.
And I just realized I misspelled RFK Jr’s initials (clearly this farmer didn’t have her glasses on when typing 😂)
When I knew nothing, I was pro vaccine. Then I learned a little bit, and I became anti vaccine (“vaccine skeptic” if you like). Then I learned a bit more and I realized that my amateur knowledge is no match for the decades and centuries of the collective wisdom of scientists developed through (real) research and practice. Scientific consensus is not a meaningless catchphrase, but a real and powerful concept integral to learning and development of treatments and cures. Yes, pharmaceutical companies exist to make a profit (hello capitalism). And by the way, the supplement industry makes $6 TRILLION a year and has no regulations to protect consumers. But did you know that vaccines actually make up a very small portion of their annual revenues (feel free to fact check me on this)? The reason we do not hold pharmaceuticals financially liable for (totally legitimate, but RARE) vaccine injury complaints is because the incentive to create vaccines would disappear. And we (society as a whole) desperately need them to continue that work.
Yes! Exactly where I'm at, pro vaccine, then vaccine skeptic, pro supplement, and then I realized, wow, I'm a total amateur and no match for the collective knowledge of science and I felt duped!
I'm always amazed when people talk about the big, bad pharmaceutical companies and only out for money, and I tell them...yes...you're just now figuring this out? They are FOR-profit! At least they are regulated, unlike the supplement and wellness industry when we get every Tom, Dick and Harriet hanging out in a grocery telling us what's good and bad with absolutely NO evidence to back anything up creating fear and distrust.
Also, I'm in no way saying that everything works perfectly with our government agencies or Congress or big business. We definitely have issues that need to be addressed.
Of course! Agree on every point. I do think more transparency will help tamp down fear. But I also think that voices like RFKs don't need to be heard, because people are simply too overwhelmed with information (both good & bad) to be able to rightly divide and discern what is factual. I know that's a controversial opinion, but we've seen with our own eyes that cream doesn't necessarily rise to the top in our public discourse, and too many people with absurd, baseless opinions are platformed and empowered.
Also, it won't let me like your comment :). No idea why.
Thank you for the insight, Sharon. Great job covering some basics of RFK, Jr. I think you are just touching the surface of the issues with him being in charge of anything. I appreciate the discussion on what he can or cannot do on his own. In my view, this cabinet pick was solely so Trump could garner up the RFK votes. Things that RFK Jr. want to do are in complete opposition to the Republican platform of deregulation for big businesses. The things that RFK Jr. wants to do will require regulation of large food companies, pharmaceuticals, etc. It makes no sense.
I actually was in that "group" for a while, for lack of a better word. When you have kids, it's easy to go down the rabbit hole as you are trying to do the best for your kids, and I was right there. I have micropreemies, born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb each at birth, and it was incredibly scary and once they came home from the hospital, I found myself just believing things without really checking things out due to the fear created about chemicals and food, etc.
I actually credit Covid for getting me out of that fearful state of chemophobia and pseudoscience. I think Operation Warp Speed is actually one of the things that Trump did right! The vaccine being produced quickly was a direct result of him removing bureaucratic barriers and allowing phases to happen simultaneously to shorten the timeframe. It was because of Covid that I really dug into the science behind vaccines and for the first time, I really understood them and why they are so important to public health. From this it started me questioning all that I believed. I learned that one really needs to look at what the whole body of evidence is saying and that you don't just automatically believe something just because a doctor says it especially when it comes to scientific study as most aren't really trained in it. I also realized that I, and really no lay person, is qualified to recognize whether a study is good or not. It really takes so much scientific training to understand. I feel like I was duped and finally got back to the place of logic.
Anyway, I have evolved, lol. RFK Jr. is a danger to public health. He may have some good ideas here and there, but the fact that he blatantly spews untruths about HIV and whatever else he just lobs out there, makes him totally unqualified. Also, more SA allegations? How many are we up to now?
Hello fellow micro momma. My daughter was 1 lb 7 oz and while I didn’t go down the same path, the trauma from having children in the NICU can absolutely be manipulated. Just targeting our kids’ health in general is manipulative. Even with gun control, people are manipulated into believing that more guns are what is safe even when data shows otherwise. Fear is a great way to control.
Amazing story and somewhat similar to my own journey (though it happened years before Covid). My thought processes were similarly transformed. Hopeful for others to experience this awakening to evidence based thinking.
I really appreciate your response and your journey to get here. I hope your babies are doing well.
I find his weird conspiracy theories concerning. Where does he get his information? Hunches?
A huge eye roll to plastics making kids transgender. As if gender diversity hasn't always been with us as a species.
He seems not to have met a conspiracy theory that he didn't like. Maintenance Phase did an excellent multi-part series about RFK Jr*, and I do have a tremendous amount of empathy for RFK Jr and the life experiences that shaped him: is it so unexpected to turn to conspiracies when both your uncle and dad were assassinated like they were?
Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert, has also written about RFK Jr and the ways he's turned his credulous questioning into unsubstantiated claims: https://pauloffit.substack.com/p/the-real-robert-f-kennedy-jr AND https://pauloffit.substack.com/p/robert-f-kennedy-jr-should-stop-talking
*Part 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2gAXLpusKfBf6bIMlD2mUf
Part 2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vUzgcXIqarBL4TBuE7a7a
Part 3: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CnJXv5OjWXusJQKjVBTG7
It is so helpful to see all of this info in one place, thank you for writing this! I’m trying not to be overly anxious or worried since we don’t know exactly what will happen, but feeling especially concerned about vaccine access and food safety.
This has to be the dumbest and potentially most dangerous of all the potential appointments. I pray he doesn’t get confirmed.
I hope he and all of Trump's appointees actually go through the approval process. Trump has proposed bypassing the process using the Recess Appointment Clause. He will do anything to ram his horrible nominees through.
I know. I’m right there with you. It is so bad for democracy and some people just don’t see it.
I am again so devastated and frightened by this choice for an important position. I have had hormone driven breast cancer and have much younger and dear friends who also fight this deadly disease. The Covid vaccine jumpstarted many clinical trials for vaccines to stop this horror. RFK could stop them and doom us to years more of fighting and dying when a cure is almost there. It is more of what this administration brings- putting dread where there had been hope. I know there are those who have reactions to vaccines- this is tragic- but the overwhelming majority of our population benefits from them.
I agree with this sentiment. He also stated he would like to give research on infectious disease a “break for about 8 years” which is incredibly concerning and would put the US light years behind in the event of another pandemic.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/science-research-policy/2024/11/15/what-robert-f-kennedy-jr-has-said-about-nih
But what if insurance no longer covers these things because of his policies. Then you can get a vaccine but it’s $1K? More? Hopefully less? People with cancer already have exceptionally high expenses
I just remember back in the heat if Covid rFK was throwing large anti vax rallies. That angered me because of the multitude of people dying of Covid and healthcare workers trying to care for folks to their own detriment. Anyone who spreads disinformation to large groups is complicit in harm. You too Joe Rogan and so many others out there. Also I don’t appreciate that RFK chose to bargain off democracy by filing voters away from Harris and to Trump for RFKs own personal quest for power.
I had 3 grandparents pass from COVID and I won’t lie - it really strikes a nerve when I hear others spread misinformation about it (COVID isn’t real, they’re altering death certificates, doctors are being paid to diagnose COVID). The fact that RFK, Jr helped fund “Plandemic” is incredibly upsetting.
So sorry about your grandparents… my great niece lost her grandma who was a major caretaker for her and a lovely human (and probably just in early 50’s)
I’m so sorry to hear that! She was so young 😔
I am so, so sorry about your grandparents 💔🕯️🕯️🕯️
Thanks, Emily! I really appreciate it.
Good point Amy. That would have been an interesting turn. I think my issue with many of the things trump does is it is always Quid Pro Quo. “ you get a cabinet seat if you stop your campaign and join mine. I don’t think Harris is overtly Quid Pro Quo-ing 🧐I will check out the post by Marianne Williamson. Thank you.
Oh Sharon you are a Godsend! Thanks for the Informative article on JFK. I listen to your TED TALK on American Democracy as an Adult Bedtime Story to sooth me to sleep some nights. I recommend everyone watch it. I love your podcast. I put Jamil Zaki's quote on my wall. I loved the recent one about Harriet Tubman, and the lady who said she knew she had Sojuenier Truth on one shoulder, and Harriet Tubman on the other, when she refused to go to the back of the bus. WOW! KellyAnnStillHoping for Democracy and Sanity. You give me HOPE Sharon!
Thank you for this article. It kind of calms my fears about what actually could happen. My son is pursuing a PhD in BioChemistry and we’ve been talking about this nominee for weeks now. I remember when this same son was in elementary school and Michelle Obama tried to help with childhood obesity. She was met with a lot of resistance…
Really curious to know how Big Pharma is feeling about this nomination. On one hand, relying on pseudoscience and conspiracies will lead to steering the gov’t away from promoting/approving pharmaceuticals (Big Pharma no likey), but on the other: we’re all gonna be sicker and need more medicine (Big Pharma likey?) I wonder if they’re trying to lobby GOP senators one way or the other.
I guess the same would apply to Big Ag, Big Corn, and all the others who have tons of influential lobbying $$ as well as skin in the game when it comes to FDA-affected products/innovations.
Very likely an uphill battle, as pharmaceutical PACs contribute significantly more to Republican candidates than to Democrats: https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/industry-detail/H4300/2022
As others are saying, thank you Sharon for fact based articles. Although greatly concerned, and many of you have written eloquently about them, having facts before me, gives me clarity. Lessens the chaos. Keeps me rational.
RFK holds some controversial opinions (including some WTF ones) for sure. He has some perspectives/ideas that I find hopeful, and 'directionally accurate'.
Medicare reform is one of them, including: securing adequate Medicare reimbursement related to cognitive specialties (versus procedural based specialties), including protecting evaluation and management (E/M) payment; preventing cuts to reimbursements in the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and federal statutes; repealing the cap on Medicare funding training positions; preserving telehealth coverage, and more. Food additives, food safety and food quality is worth improving, and this Preamble blurb is especially telling about where priorities within the FDA have been focused: "But food is regulated differently than drugs are, and the division of the FDA that oversees food safety has a very small budget that comes directly from Congress." Vaccine safety should be a high priority for all of us, and a critical examination of the totality of our childhood vaccine schedules (and adult, too) along with vaccine safety and administration should be an ongoing effort. The Preamble states the HHS secretary can't affect water fluoridation, but for what it's worth, I also think that's worth exploration.
I'll conclude my comments by saying I'm not here to champion RFK’s candidacy as HHS secretary. I have watched some long-form interviews and town halls with him, which reveal more insight into why he thinks the way he does (even if you disagree with him), starting with the assassination of his father and his uncle. I think it will be interesting, if he makes it to the Senate floor, what questions will be put to him and how he will answer.
Hi Tammy! Do you happen to have links to share regarding some of the “directionally accurate” ideas RFK Jr has? Not asking in order to argue - I’m genuinely interested because I haven’t heard this before. I’m sure I can find them, but wondering if you have easy access before I start searching.