West Virginia Health Advocates Urge Senate to Reject RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary
Health care advocates in West Virginia have joined a growing national coalition of physicians and public health experts in opposing President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Concerns over Kennedy’s controversial public health views and lack of leadership experience have sparked widespread criticism across the health care spectrum.
A Controversial Nomination
Kennedy, a prominent member of the Kennedy family, has drawn scrutiny for his long-standing opposition to vaccines through his organization, Children’s Health Defense. His claims—such as the debunked link between vaccines and autism and his condemnation of COVID-19 vaccines as a “crime against humanity”—have been widely discredited by scientists and public health experts. Kennedy’s stance on removing fluoride from drinking water also contradicts decades of scientific evidence supporting its safety and benefits.
For West Virginia, a state with significant health challenges, Kennedy’s nomination poses particular concerns. Programs like Medicaid and Medicare, managed by HHS, provide essential health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of West Virginians. Potential federal funding cuts under Kennedy’s leadership could leave many residents uninsured and strain the state’s health care infrastructure.
West Virginia Voices United
At a press conference organized by the national nonprofit Protect Our Care, West Virginia health care advocates voiced their opposition to Kennedy’s confirmation. Former Delegate Barbara Fleischauer joined representatives from the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and West Virginia Citizen Action Group to highlight the risks of Kennedy’s leadership.
Fleischauer cited the 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa, which resulted in the deaths of 83 children and was linked to anti-vaccine activism Kennedy supported. She emphasized that West Virginia’s stringent vaccine requirements—among the toughest in the country—have protected the state from similar tragedies.
“Misinformation kills, particularly the most vulnerable among us—children and the elderly,” Fleischauer said. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the wrong choice for HHS, and his leadership would endanger the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”
Threats to Medicaid and Health Care Access
Lynette Maselli, state director of Protect Our Care, underscored the importance of Medicaid to West Virginia’s rural communities and economically disadvantaged populations. Maselli warned that proposed federal funding cuts could create a $235 million shortfall in the state budget, jeopardizing access to health care for thousands of residents.
Health policy analyst Rhonda Rogombe added that reduced Medicaid funding could severely impact the state’s health care sector, a vital employer and service provider in West Virginia. “Uncompensated care not only strains hospitals but also threatens our state’s economy,” Rogombe explained.
National Backlash Against Kennedy
The opposition to Kennedy’s nomination isn’t limited to West Virginia. More than 15,000 physicians have signed a letter urging the Senate to reject his confirmation. Organizations like the American Public Health Association have also criticized the nomination, citing Kennedy’s lack of expertise and his divisive views.
“Americans need an HHS secretary who commands public trust and prioritizes science,” said Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the association. “Kennedy is not that leader.”
What’s at Stake for West Virginia?
West Virginia’s strong vaccination policies have been a cornerstone of its public health success, preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations. Advocates warn that Kennedy’s appointment could undermine these achievements, especially if his anti-vaccine rhetoric discourages immunizations.
As the Senate prepares to vote on Kennedy’s nomination, West Virginia’s health care advocates and a nationwide coalition of public health professionals are making their opposition clear. Their message: the nation deserves a leader at HHS who prioritizes science, evidence-based policy, and the health and safety of all Americans.
Reference News :- Opposing RFK Jr.’s HHS Nomination: West Virginia Joins National Call
