Controversy Over Public Health in America
At the end of summer, the congress is often sleepy and slowly goes back to work. But last week was an exception. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrived at Capitol Hill, and the controversial secretary for health and human services triggered a settlement on public health in America.
Defense of Trump Government Policy
At a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, Kennedy defended the policy of the Trump government: "At HHS we have a one-time postponement of a generation of a nursing system to a real health system that is concerned with the basic causes of chronic diseases," he said. The minds ran hot at the hearing. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said: "This is not a podcast. It is the health of the American people who are at stake here."
Democratic Opposition
Democrats are stalled by Kennedy, perhaps the best-known member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) asked Kennedy: "When did you lie, do you say that you said this committee that you were not anti-Vax? Or when you told the Americans there was no safe and effective vaccine?" What Kennedy replied: "Both things are true."
Republican Support
There were Republicans who broadly supported Kennedy. Senator Mike Crapo (R-IDA) said: "President Trump and secretary Kennedy have steadfastly committed to make America well again." In particular, some Republicans have urged Kennedy to have his longstanding opposition to vaccination mandates and Kennedy’s doubts about the safety of different vaccines. Senator John Barasso (R-Wyo.) said: "There are real concerns that secure, proven, proven vaccines such as measles such as hepatitis B and others could be in danger."
Turbulence in the Trump White House
The government announced on August 27th new restrictions on the authorization for COVID vaccinations. This decision prompted some warning health organizations that politics could cause confusion. On the same day, the Trump White House fired Susan Monarez, the director of the centers for the control and prevention of diseases, who had been confirmed by the Senate weeks ago. The Trump White House stood in the comprehensive changes of the secretary Kennedy and shooting.
White House Response
The Press spokeswoman of the White House, Karoline Leavitt, said about Monarez: "She was not brought into harmony with President Trump’s mission to make America healthy again." In an explanation, the spokesman for the White House, Kush Desai, said: "The White House has full confidence in the leadership of secretary Kennedy at HHS to drive President Trump’s Maha Agenda."
A Significant Distrust of Vaccines
Four CDC officials – all have stepped down in the last few days. Some cited secretary of Kennedy’s vaccine policy, others, citing the revolution of the CDC, which offers decisive health duty nationwide. And all four expressed concerns about their resulting trust in CDC information about vaccines and vaccine protection data. "That’s why I went; I’m very concerned," said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. "We have already crossed the border. The Covid recommendations for children and pregnant women are not based on instructions that the world experts agree on."
Concerns About Vaccine Policy
Dr. Daniel Jernigan said: "I think he has a considerable distrust of vaccines. I don’t know that he is driving an agenda of vocal residues. Vaccine." Dr. Debra Houry said when Kennedy started at HHS: "I read his books. I wanted to understand his research and background better. So we were open when we had these discussions."
Diseases Don’t Obey Limits
Florida’s Republican governor only lasted last week if plans to remove all requirements for the vaccine in childhood. In the meantime, the democratic governors who oppose the policy of Secretary Kennedy move quickly to protect vaccination programs in their states. Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon that served in the Biden administration, said: "What is the result for the country if you have such a differentiation? It is shattered."
Global Health Implications
For Gawande, Kennedy’s measures could increase not only federal authorities, but also America’s reputation for global health. "There is not always a consensus in our own medical community," he said, "but we were generally able to come together enough to be able to say: ‘Here we can assure that we are – whether it is Covid booster, and ensure that we no longer vaccinate the people who need people most urgently to prevent. World was important.’" Ultimately, Gawande says: "Trust helps to grasp doubts." But I asked: "Is trust in this environment still possible?" "Trust is still possible," said Gawande, "but it is not possible, while we have managers who actively drive chaos who are actively trying to create and destroy uncertainty."
