RIP public health

RFK, HHS, and American healthcare DOA

Speaking as a public health practitioner (MBA/MPH) with 12+ years experience across Medicaid, MLTC, eldercare, etc., and without cliche, hyperbole, and/or pretense: yesterday was the darkest day for healthcare in American history. RFK Jr.’s confirmation as HHS Secretary normalizes debunked conspiracies re: 5G, antivax, COVID-19, fluoride, HIV/AIDS, mass shootings, mental health, and much more.

His appointment sends a chilling message to every professional in the field — science, evidence, and expertise can be casually dismissed for political expediency. This isn’t just about disagreeing on policy; it’s about endorsing dangerous misinformation that has already cost lives. His track record of promoting pseudoscience over proven medical practices is not just misguided, it’s lethal.

The implications are terrifying. By placing someone who has openly questioned the science behind vaccines, environmental toxins, and public health crises at the helm of HHS, we’re not just rolling back decades of progress; we’re actively promoting policies that could lead to further public health disasters. Imagine the potential rollback of vaccination programs, the undermining of public trust in healthcare, and the resurgence of diseases we thought were under control.