Washington –
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly questioned the validity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. He pointed out a significant increase in chronic diseases in the U.S. as part of his defense of necessary changes within health agencies during a Senate hearing on Thursday.
“These changes were crucial to reestablish the CDC as the leading authority in public health, primarily to safeguard Americans against infectious diseases,” Kennedy stated. “The CDC failed miserably in its duties during Covid, as its misguided policies harmed small businesses, infringed upon civil liberties, disrupted education, and contributed to generational harm, which further widened economic disparities.”
This hearing followed a notable confrontation Kennedy had with former CDC director Susan Monales last week. He dismissed Monales on August 25 over disagreements concerning the committee that advises the CDC on vaccination schedules, just weeks after taking office.
During a Senate Finance Committee session, Sen. Bill Cassidy, from Louisiana, expressed concerns about Kennedy’s alterations to the Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices (ACIP) and his influence on the FDA’s Covid-19 vaccine approval process. Analysts accused Kennedy of undermining trust in vaccinations and established scientific practices.
“I’m here as a doctor, not just a senator. My worries revolve around the health of my children, our elderly, and everyone’s well-being. I commend your focus on true transparency,” Cassidy remarked. He referenced President Donald Trump’s push to facilitate data access for Covid vaccine manufacturers.
It seems Cassidy is aligned with Monales regarding her recent conflict with Kennedy, as he urged fellow doctors to disregard ACIP guidelines.
Before the hearing, Monales had penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, claiming that Kennedy pressured her to keep decisions under wraps. Kennedy, however, labeled her claims as false, asserting that he never asked her to step down during their private discussion.
Kennedy downplayed the objections from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding changes to ACIP, referencing their ties to the pharmaceutical industry. He also cited a 2000 Congressional Survey that highlighted financial conflicts faced by doctors serving on the committee.
“I didn’t politicize ACIP; I worked to make it impartial,” Kennedy argued.
In a broader critique of the CDC’s pandemic response, Kennedy insisted the agency should refocus on its primary mission of protecting Americans from infectious diseases. He noted a disturbing increase in obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, questioning the agency’s satisfaction given these trends. “The CDC’s role was to prevent this from happening,” he stressed.
Kennedy confronts panel members directly, challenging their records on health issues. He accused Sen. Ron Wyden of contributing to the rise in childhood chronic illnesses during his long tenure. “How long have you held that position? 20, 25 years? Childhood chronic illness has surged to 76%, and you’ve said nothing,” he accused.
Beyond the CDC, Kennedy also brought up his priority initiatives since taking office in February, covering topics including food safety, water quality, and health equity.
Additionally, Kennedy expressed condolences for DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was fatally shot in an attack at CDC headquarters.
Permanent Covid Vaccine Policy Changes
Several senators voiced disapproval of the new FDA guidelines, which require fresh clinical trial data for annual Covid-19 booster shots for both healthy adults and children. Democrats criticized this as a breach of Kennedy’s earlier commitment during his confirmation hearing not to restrict vaccine access.
During the Biden administration, Kennedy reminded the panel that the top two FDA vaccine regulators, Mario Gruber and Phil Klaus, left their posts in 2021 due to pressure concerning the authorization of booster shots without sufficient clinical evidence.
Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed concern that if a vaccine is not recommended, many people would lack the ability to access it, causing insurance companies to be less likely to cover the $200 cost. “That effectively denies people their vaccines,” she argued.
“We won’t endorse products without clinical evidence for that use,” Kennedy countered. “Is that what I’m supposed to do?”
“You should honor the commitments you made during your confirmation. Your promises were not to limit access to vaccines,” Warren replied, noting changes to Covid vaccine classifications.
Kennedy challenged Warren on her acceptance of pharmaceutical industry donations during the 2020 election cycle.
The hearing also touched on other contentious issues where Kennedy diverged from many Republicans, particularly on GMO crops and pesticide regulations, which led to discussions about collaboration with the USDA.
He caused a stir by claiming the CDC had obscured evidence linking the MMR vaccines to autism, which drew significant backlash from a wider range of lawmakers.
