Tag: health RFK JR

  • NY Post Unleashes Scathing Criticism on RFK Jr.: ‘Paranoid Kook’

    Blue Press Journal – In a stunning rebuke, the typically pro-Donald Trump New York Post has torn into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., labeling him a “paranoid kook” whose views on vaccines are misguided and dangerous. The scathing editorial, published on Thursday, slammed Kennedy’s recent appearance at a Senate hearing, where he faced intense scrutiny over his vaccine policies.

    The Post’s editorial board, known for its conservative leanings, pulled no punches in their critique of Kennedy, stating that his “tinfoil hat is blocking out all sense” and that he “won’t be restoring sanity to our public-health bureaucracies.” The tabloid’s harsh words were a stark departure from its usual support for Trump and his administration.

    Kennedy, a vocal vaccine skeptic, has been a lightning rod for controversy since his appointment as HHS Secretary. His views on vaccines have been widely criticized by the medical community, and his appearance at the Senate hearing only seemed to exacerbate concerns. According to the Post, Kennedy’s testimony was marked by a bizarre and uninformed approach to public health, with the secretary coming across as “a paranoid kook connecting red strings on a whiteboard.”

    The editorial board argued that Kennedy’s leadership at HHS is a recipe for disaster, citing his refusal to acknowledge basic facts and his reliance on conspiracy theories. “America needs agencies like HHS and CDC moving toward a sane center, where decisions are based on data-informed evidence,” the Post concluded. “The more Kennedy opens his mouth, the more obvious it becomes that letting him call the shots is just trading one extreme for another.”

    The Post’s brutal takedown of Kennedy is a significant blow to the embattled HHS Secretary, who has already faced intense criticism from lawmakers and health experts. As the debate over vaccine policy continues to rage, the Post’s editorial serves as a stark reminder that Kennedy’s views are not only misinformed but also dangerous. With the nation’s public health at stake, it remains to be seen whether Kennedy will heed the Post’s warning and adopt a more evidence-based approach to vaccine policy.

  • RFK Jr Must Go for America’s Health

    Blue Press Journal – In an unprecedented move, over 1,000 current and former employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are calling for the resignation of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The demand comes after Kennedy’s ousting of the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other actions that the employees claim are “compromising the health of the nation.”

    In a scathing letter sent to Kennedy and members of Congress on Wednesday, the group of employees expressed their deep concern over the direction of the department under Kennedy’s leadership. “We expect those in leadership to act when the health of Americans is at stake,” the letter states. The employees are urging Kennedy to step down, citing his actions as a threat to public health. Should he decline to resign, they are calling on the President and U.S. Congress to appoint a new Secretary of Health and Human Services, one who prioritizes independent and unbiased peer-reviewed science in shaping health policy.

    The letter is the latest development in a growing crisis within the HHS. Last month, HHS staff called on Kennedy to do more to protect public health professionals following the August 8 shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta. Since then, an additional 887 HHS staff have signed on to the letter, bringing the total to over 1,000. The organizing group, Save HHS, reported that Kennedy has not responded to the letter, and instead, HHS released a statement accusing the employees of politicizing the tragedy.

    The employees emphasized that they signed the letter in their personal capacities, with some choosing to remain anonymous due to “well-founded fear of retaliation and threats to personal safety.” This move highlights the deep-seated concerns and fears among HHS staff, who are speaking out against what they see as a dangerous and misguided leadership.

    As the controversy over Kennedy’s leadership grows, it remains to be seen how the President and U.S. Congress will respond to HHS employees’ demands. One thing is clear: the health and well-being of the American people are at stake, and immediate action is imperative. The question is: will Kennedy resign, or will intervention be needed to restore trust in the department?

  • Calls for Resignation Mount as Kennedy’s War on Science Intensifies … RFK Jr. Must Go!

    Blue Press Journal (DC) – The US Health and Human Services Department is reeling from a month of unprecedented turmoil, with critics calling for the resignation of Secretary John F. Kennedy Jr. The embattled secretary has faced mounting scrutiny over his handling of vaccine policy, and his history of promoting unproven medical treatments.

    The final straw came this week with the abrupt dismissal of CDC Chief Susan Monarez, sparking outrage from public health experts and lawmakers alike. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer lambasted Kennedy’s attacks on established science as “stubborn, pigheaded, conspiracy-based,” while Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote a scathing editorial accusing Kennedy of “launching a full-blown war on science, on public health, and on truth itself.”

    The controversy surrounding Kennedy’s leadership has been building for months, with critics pointing to his history of sowing mistrust in vaccines. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Kennedy has vowed to investigate a possible connection between vaccines and autism, rewarding vaccine critics with high-level appointments and downplaying the role of immunizations in a recent measles outbreak.

    The situation took a dark turn when a vaccine conspiracy theorist opened fire on the CDC building in Atlanta, Georgia, prompting widespread condemnation. Kennedy’s slow response to the shooting only added to the criticism, with many questioning his commitment to public health and safety.

    As Kennedy prepares to assume personal authority over Medicaid, lawmakers and experts are sounding the alarm over the potential consequences of his policies. “The reality is that Secretary Kennedy has profited from and built a career on sowing mistrust in vaccines,” Sen. Sanders wrote. “Now, as head of HHS, he is using his authority to undermine the very foundations of public health.”

    With calls for resignation growing louder, it remains to be seen how long Kennedy can cling to power. The fate of the US Health and Human Services Department, and the health of the American people, hangs in the balance as the country waits with bated breath. One question echoes through the halls of power: how much longer can Kennedy’s war on science continue?

  • RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Guidance Delays: Consequences for Public Health

    Until recently, many people may not have been familiar with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the vaccine advisory panel of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ACIP is essential in deciding which vaccines are administered to both children and adults, what insurance will cover, and which vaccines will be provided free of charge to millions of low-income children. Consequently, the panel’s decisions have a profound impact on the health of all Americans, with some choices potentially determining life or death.

    Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the extraordinary step of dismissing all 17 members of ACIP. Just two days later, he announced eight individuals he has selected to replace them. One of the newly appointed members, Vicky Pebsworth, has a background with the National Vaccine Information Center, an anti-vaccine organization. Her appointed raising clear questions on both qualifications and conflict of interests.

    Kennedy’s actions can be likened to a scenario where all air traffic controllers in the United States are abruptly fired and replaced by individuals who not only lack expertise in air traffic control but also harbor skepticism about flying itself. This analogy underscores the gravity of the situation.

    As of last week, the panel has yet to recommend a Covid-19 vaccine for the upcoming fall season. This lack of guidance is concerning as doctors rely on ACIP’s recommendations to order vaccines in a timely manner. The delay could lead to challenges in getting the necessary shots to those who need them, resulting in unnecessary hospitalizations and even potential fatalities. Rural family medicine practitioners, in particular, may find it difficult to stock vaccines, especially given the financial pressures they face.

    Members of ACIP convene at least three times a year to review scientific data on vaccines and establish recommendations for various age groups. If the CDC endorses ACIP’s recommendations, a vaccine may officially become part of the immunization schedule for both children and adults. For the average American, this could mean facing out-of-pocket expenses for crucial vaccines if their insurance only covers those recommended by ACIP. With rising costs for essentials like gas and groceries, this additional financial burden could be overwhelming.

    Ultimately, the choices made by RFK Jr. could result in tragic, preventable deaths, underscoring the urgent and vital necessity for informed, responsible leadership in vaccine policy.

  • Concerns Raised on Trump’s New Covid-19 Policy

    The Trump administration’s recent decision to restrict access to seasonal COVID-19 shots to seniors and high-risk individuals is generating concerns about vaccine availability for the general population. This policy shift, awaiting further data on the broader population, raises questions about those who desire a booster but may not meet the “high-risk” criteria.

    The alarming restriction on the availability of vital vaccines has left the medical community deeply concerned that this may lead to a tragic rise in Covid-19-related deaths this fall. Medical experts are fervently questioning the reasoning behind such a troubling shift, advocating for action to protect lives.

    Under this new framework, the FDA will limit routine vaccine approvals to seniors and those with underlying health conditions unless clinical trials demonstrate the vaccine’s ability to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death in healthy adults and children. Vaccine manufacturers are now being encouraged to conduct such trials to establish the vaccine’s value in these healthier demographics.

    Uncertainty also surrounds the status of individuals living with vulnerable, high-risk people. Caregivers and those sharing households with immunocompromised individuals may seek vaccination to protect their loved ones, yet they may not qualify under the revised FDA guidelines unless they themselves are at risk of severe illness.

    This restricted FDA approval is poised to significantly limit public access to COVID-19 vaccines and insurance coverage for these vital shots. Even as vaccination demand dwindles, the CDC warns that COVID-19 has tragically taken the lives of 30,000 to 50,000 adults since October, highlighting the relentless and overwhelming burden this virus continues to place on our healthcare system.

  • RFK Jr.’s Reckless Swim Raises Mental Health Concerns

    It seems that Trump didn’t exactly hit the jackpot with his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary. In a rather questionable decision, RFK Jr. decided to take a dip in Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek, despite clear guidance from the National Park Service regarding high bacteria levels. 

    And to make matters worse, he brought my grandchildren along for the swim! I mean, risking your own health is one thing, but putting kids in harm’s way? That’s a whole new level of recklessness!

    In a post on the social platform X, Kennedy shared, “Mother’s Day hike in Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, and Jackson, and a swim with my grandchildren, Bobcat and Cassius in Rock Creek.” Accompanying the post were several photos, including one of the 71-year-old Cabinet member, shirtless and blissfully submerged in the murky waters.

    Now, let’s not forget what the National Park Service has to say: “Swimming and wading are not allowed due to high bacteria levels.” In fact, swimming has been off-limits in most of D.C.’s waterways since the 1970s, primarily due to contamination from the city’s aging sewer system.

    To add a twist to this aquatic adventure, Kennedy has previously revealed in court documents that doctors informed him in 2010 that a parasite had eaten part of his brain, and he also suffered from mercury poisoning—likely from his fishy diet.

    So, this is the individual Trump chose to lead the charge in making America healthier? Talk about a questionable decision! It’s safe to say this choice raises more than a few eyebrows.

  • Under Trump’s new plan, America is being made sicker

    “Under Trump’s new plan, America is being made sick. Employees within the vast U.S. Health and Human Services Department are being handed pink slips, with up to 10,000 people expected to lose their jobs. These cuts are affecting researchers, scientists, doctors, support staff, and senior leaders – essentially stripping the federal government of crucial experts who have long been instrumental in guiding decisions on medical research, drug approvals, and other critical issues.

    Last week, Kennedy unveiled a plan to revamp the department, which oversees tracking health trends, conducting medical research, monitoring food and medicine safety, and administering health insurance programs for nearly half the nation. The layoffs will reduce HHS to 62,000 positions, eliminating nearly a quarter of its workforce – a staggering 10,000 jobs lost.

    At the NIH, the cuts have already claimed at least four directors, while the FDA has seen numerous staff members who regulate drugs, food, medical devices, and tobacco products receive notices. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington has warned that these cuts will have dire consequences during natural disasters and disease outbreaks, such as the current measles epidemic.

    The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has been hit particularly hard, with over 1,000 employees affected. In addition to federal health agencies, state and local health departments are also feeling the impact of HHS’s decision to retract over $11 billion in COVID-19-related funding.

    So, America, is this what you voted for Trump for? To make us all sicker and less safe? The Department of Disease seems to be a more fitting name for what is happening under this administration.”

  • His decisions will have a direct impact on your health – RFK JR.

    The individual nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services should possess the necessary management and professional experience to effectively oversee one of the largest health agencies in the world. Their decisions will have a direct impact on the health of every American.

    Unfortunately, the current nominee chosen by President-elect Trump lacks these essential qualities. In fact, 77 Nobel Prize Winners have publicly opposed the appointment of RFK Jr.

    It is imperative that politics be set aside in this matter, as the primary focus should be on selecting a leader who prioritizes the health and well-being of the American people to effectively lead this agency.

    77 Nobel Prize Winners Write Message To The Senate: Don’t Confirm RFK Jr.