More than 15,000 physicians have signed a letter opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The letter, organized by the Committee to Protect Health Care, calls Kennedy “dangerous” and highlights his history of spreading misinformation about vaccines and public health.
Doctors Warn of RFK Jr.’s Lack of Qualifications
The letter expresses alarm over Donald Trump’s choice to nominate Kennedy for the critical HHS role. “As physicians who deeply care about public health, we are appalled by this reckless decision,” the letter states. It emphasizes that the well-being of over 336 million Americans depends on HHS leadership that values science and evidence-based medicine.
The signatories assert that Kennedy is not only unqualified but “actively dangerous.” They cite his history of spreading harmful conspiracy theories, including his 2019 visit to Samoa, where his anti-vaccine rhetoric contributed to a measles outbreak that killed 83 people, most of them children under five.
Bipartisan Resistance and Widespread Concern
Kennedy’s nomination has faced bipartisan resistance in the Senate. He requires nearly unanimous Republican support if all Democrats vote against his confirmation. Meanwhile, groups like Protect Our Care, a liberal nonprofit focused on preserving the Affordable Care Act, have launched campaigns to oppose his appointment. Last month, 77 Nobel laureates also signed a letter condemning Kennedy’s nomination.
Critics have also highlighted Kennedy’s plans to reduce funding, staff, and resources for federal health agencies. This approach, they argue, would undermine the progress made in improving health outcomes nationwide.
Trump’s Endorsement Raises Alarm
President-elect Donald Trump has amplified some of Kennedy’s debunked claims about vaccines. In a December 2024 interview, Trump suggested that Kennedy might investigate a discredited link between vaccines and autism. “We’re going to look into why autism rates are so much higher than they were 20, 25, 30 years ago,” Trump said, repeating a widely debunked narrative.
A Call to Protect Public Health
The letter concludes with a dire warning about Kennedy’s potential impact on public health. It accuses him of endangering millions, especially children, by eroding trust in healthcare systems. “RFK Jr.’s appointment threatens to reverse decades of progress in improving health outcomes,” the letter states. “This is not leadership – it’s sabotage.”
With strong opposition from the medical and scientific communities, Kennedy’s nomination faces an uphill battle in the Senate.